BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND TROPICAL FORESTS

IN TUNISIA

Prepared by : Scott D. Posner January, 1988

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND TROPICAL FORESTS

IN TUNISIA

Prepared by

S c ~ t t I). Poscer

The Washicetor D . C . acd T s r i s O f f i c e s o f t h e

Ageccy fbr I c t e r c a t i o r a l Develapmert

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND TROPICAL FORESTS IN TU?!ISIA

TABLE OF CO?lTEYlTS

Preface

Exec2tjve Sxmmary

Page:

i

i i

PART I : EIOLOCICAL DIVERSITY

2 . S a c k g r o c ~ d I r . f3 rna t ioc oc T c c i s j a ............................ 2 2 . . Tt. E C o ~ c r r y ........................................ 2 -. - L . L . C 1 : x t e ........................................ 2 2.3. F l o r a ................................................. 5

2 7 . . G e c ~ t i c R e s o ~ r c e s ............................ 6 2.7.2. Spec ie s i c Need of P r o t e c t i o r ................ 10 .......................... 2.3.3. P r c t e c t i o c Agencies 11

2 4 . 9a;ra ................................................. 12 2 . 7 . Yamrels ...................................... 12 2.1.2. ? i r d s ........................................ 14 2 . 4 . X ~ c t i c g ...................................... 75 2 4 . . F a z a P r o t e c r i o c ............................. 15

3 . Pr iza ry Z c s s y s t e n s of T . x i s i a ................................ 16 3 ... C o a s t r l Zoces ......................................... 16

3.1.1. Cors l Coast .................................. 18 3.7.2. C . i l f of P ~ c i s ................................ 21 3 . 3 . G ~ 2 f of Hammarnet ............................. 25 3.1.L. G ~ l f of Cabes ................................ 28 ............................................... 3.2. 1 s l a r . d ~ 33 3.2.1. G a l i t e ....................................... 35 3.2.2. Zembra ....................................... 38 3.2.3. K x r i a t e ...................................... 43 3.2.4. Kerkeccah .................................... 44 3.2.5. Kceiss ....................................... 46 3.2.6. J e r b a ........................................ 47 .............................................. 3.3. k!etlacds 50 ...................... 3.3.1. !%rice Lakes acd Lagoons 52 3.3.2. Sebkhets acd Chot ts ........................... 64 3.3.7. Rive r s acd Reservoi rs ........................ 74 3.3.r. Other Freshwater Uet lacds .................... 75

7 . L . . l o - r t e i r.s ............................................. 80 3 . L ... Kro-n i r j e/!lagods ............................. 8 0 3.L.2. !!:gh "ell .................................... 92 3.1.3. T.;r.S sf.ar. Dorsal .............................. 95 ................. 3 . 4 . 4 . T'3 .;rta S.rs ~f t h e High Steppe : I2 ...................................... 3.1.5. Do-Srat 116

Tab le o f Coc tec t s ( ~ o c t i c z e d )

3.5. S t e p p e s ............................................... : lE 3.5.1. High S t eppes ................................. 120 3.5.2. Low S t e p p e s .................................. 122 3.5.3. S ~ b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S teppe .................. 124 3.5.4. S s b d e s e r t i c C o r t i c e r t a l S t eppe ............... 127

3.6. Gracd E a s t e r c Erg: Sahara ............................ 130 3.7. Oases ................................................. 132

4 . Ecosystems by C o i v e r c o r a t .................................... 134

5 . E i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y P ro t ec t i cm .............................. 181 5.1. Covercnec t I c s t j t c t i o c a l S t r zc t . - r e .................... :81 5.2. Coc-Govercmectal k s s o c j z t j o c s ......................... :82 5.3. Ecv i rocmec ta l L e g l s l a t i o c ............................. 183 5.4. I ? a t i o c a l Pa rks acd Reserves ........................... 784

5 .4 . : . Zenbra I l a t i o c a l Park acd )l,i.osphcrt: ? ? s ~ r v e .... 186 5.4.2. 1chke.A 1!P a rd ZR ............................ 186 5.4.3. Chanbi NP acd a?? ............................. :87 5.4.4. Bos Hedma !tP acd ER .......................... 187 5.4.5. So, K o r r i r e TIP ............................... 187 5.4.6. Proposed !!P a t E l PeSdje ..................... 5.4.7. Proposed YIP a t Yanada a r d Djebfl S l d l To;;< ... : 8 R 5.4.8. C a l i t o c Reservf .............................. 188 5.4.9. Lake Y x i s P r o t e c t e d Y!etlacd ................. 189 5.4.10. Air . Bacco ch a rd I X b e s Rese rves ............. 789 5.4..1. Kechen e l Kelb Reserve ....................... 189 5.4.12. Orba ta Reserve ............................... 190 5.4.13. D6r C h i c h m Reserve .......................... 190 5.4.14. Proposed Fi? a t Jer .eir . - C-ed O;cj ............ 190

6 . S-.inmary of P r i o r i t y Cocse rva t ioc Xeeds ..................... 791

PART 11: TROPICAL FOBESTS

1 . I c t r o d s c t i o c ................................................. 194

................................................. 2 . F o r e s t Types 195

3 . S t a t s s o f T ~ c i s i a c F o r e s t s ................................... 196

4 . F o r e s t P r o t e c t i o c ............................................ 200

LISTS OF FIGURES AHD TABLES

L i s t of F igu res :

F i e : T i t l e : Page:

...................... P l a c t S p e c i e s Ecdenic t o Tcn i s i a Examples of Medj c i c a l P l a c t Spec ie s ................... .............................. Coas ta l Zoces o f T c c i s j a B i r d s of t h e G - l f of Gabes ............................ L o c e t i o r s o f 1 s l a r . d ~ of T - c i s i a ....................... ! i !et l~cds of T ~ r i s i a ................................... .. 2;rds of Tchke-l ...................................... ?os. t .a i r. P z c g ~ s of T ~ r i s i a ............................ ........................... F l s r a cf 3 j e b e l 3 ~ : K o r c j ~ e .............. Steppes a ~ . d G r m d K a s t e r r Erg cf T.ais5.a S i r a s ?f t h e Xabesl G o ~ v e r c o r a t ....................... 3 r d ~ s f t h e T x l s Go .: v e r ~ o r a t ........................ E i r d s zf t h e Kasse r j ce G ~ ~ v e r r o r a t .................... S i r d s o f t h e S j d j E o y ~ Z i d Gxivercore t ................. P i r d s of t h e Cabes C D , v ~ r c s r a t ........................ P ~ T % s E E ~ I i e s ~ r v e s of T .: c 5 s j a .........................

L i s t of Tables:

Table: Y i t e : . . Page :

4 . . Climete a rd Sioclinate Deta f o r S e v e r a l Loca t iocs i r T ~ r j s j n ........................ 4

P r e f a c e

This doczmect was prepared f o r t h e Agency f o r I c t e r c a t i o c a l Developnect (AID) i c r e s p o r s e t o FAA Amecdmects 118 acd 119, which cocce rc the c o c s e r v a t i o c acd erhaccemect of b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y acd t r o p i c a l f o r e s t s . The s t a t c s , t r e c d s acd i c f l u e n c e s on t h e f l o r a , f auca and ecosystems a r e add re s sed i r- o rde r t o provide a c i n f o r m a t i o c base f o r z s e by AIE/T;ci s j c r e p o r t i n g t o ~ID/h 'ashicgt .oc D. C . , f o r n z l a t i c g a c t i o c p l ans a rd p r e p a r i c ~ Fr-virocmectal Asses snec t s of proposed p r o j e c t s . The d o c z i ~ r . t ha s beer c ros s - r e f e recced by ecosystems acd gouve rco ra t s t o f a c l l i t e t ~ 3 v j r s r . n ~ c t a l Assessmeet p r e p a r a t i on. T h i s d o c m e e t i s a l s o i c t ecded f o r _ s e by co r -gove rcnec t a l o rgac j za t j o r - s , docor orgar5 z a t i o c s e r d t he Covercnect of T x i s i a .

Follovjrti . t h e preceder- t of t h e FAA amecdmects, t h e r e a r e s e p a r a t e disc;;ssl3r.s OF b i . " l ag i ca l d i v e r s i t y end t r o p i c a l f o r e s t s i c t h i s s s rvey . However, f o r e s t s a r e a major compocect of b io logi .ca1 d i v e r s % t y , s o t h e b,l% zf e c o l c g i c a l i c f a r n a t i o n has beec coccec t r a t ed i c P a r t I . Ic liter at.^^^ d e s c r i b i c g t h e ecosystems of TucisSa , c e r t a i c a r a b i c terms a r e s o c ~ n r . 3 ~ . (s.;ch as ' d j e b ~ l ' f o r n ~ x t a i c ) t h a t they a r e used i c t h e t e x t . Ar. i rkerec t problem wi th l o c a l t.erms ( i c c l u d i c e canes of c i t i e s ) t h a t t h e reeder s h ~ z l d be aware of i s t h a t d i f f e r e c c e s i c p h 0 e n e t . i ~ s p e l l i c g s a r e fo..xd i c o t h e r d o c m e c t s (ex . d j e b e l , j e b e l , d j e b b e l a r e a l l used i c t h e l i t e r a t - r e ) . A s h o r t g l o s s a r y has beec provided t o d e f i n e some of t h e x f e n i l 5 a r terms.

This s i r v e y was P x d e d by AID/h'ashicgtoc t . h r o ~ e h A~D/Tzcis . The s;pym: g i v e r by Peace C o r p s / T c ~ i s j a , i c c l u d i c g use o f a word p r o c e s s i c g c o n p i t e r , i r - fo rma t io r g a t h e r i n g a s s i s t a c c e acd moral s u p p o r t , i s s i c c e r e l y app rec i a t ed . I c f o r m a t i ~ c from t h e D i r e c t i o c d e s F o r e t s i c t h e form of p~clished reports a ~ d d i s c ~ s s i o ~ s comprises a large part of this stirvey. Spec ia l t hacks go t o !!r. Selmi Khenaies , who g r e a t l y f a c i l i t a t e d my work ic k c j s i a , acd t o each of t h e i c g e n i e z r s and gardes-chasse t h a t accompacied ne i c t h e f i e l d . Mr. F i c h a e l Smart of t h e I c t e r c a t i o n a l Vaterfowl Research k r e a u was an i c v a l u a b l e soi i rce of i c f o r m a t i o n on wetlacds acd ecv j rocmec ta l cocce rc s ic Tur.isia, and gz ided me t o t h e most imp3rter.t l o c a t i o n s ic t h e f i e l d . I an a l s o g r a t e f u l t o T h o r s t o c Wei lbe l of t he GTZ f o r v e g e t a t i o c i c f o r m a t i o c and a home base i c Tsn i s .

EIOLOCICAL DIVERSITY AXD TROPICAL FORESTS I!! TUI!ISIA

FXECUTIVF: SUWABY

T;;r.isia i s t h e s n a l l e s t o f t h e Maghreb tx i t i ocs w i th a t o t a l s u r f a c e a rea o f 16 m i l l i o c h e c t a r e s acd a popr;latior. o f 7,259,000. A l t h o ~ e h i ts smal l s i z e , low mozc ta i c s (maximam e l e v a t i o c 1544 rn compared t o 4167 m i c ~ o r o c c o ) acd decse pop; la t ioc l e a v e T s c i s l a w i th fewer ecdenic s p e c i e s o f f a ~ c a acd f l o r a t h a c a r e fozcd i c t h e r e s t of t h e F!aghreb, t h e s p e c i e s d i v e r s i t y is f a i r l y r i c h acd i s d i s t r i b u t e d throoeh a v a r i e t y of ecosystems.

F lo ra - There a r e 2200 s p e c i e s of p l a c t s i r Y'zclsia. Of t h e 87C s p e c i e s of

p l a r t s t h a t a r e r a r e , t h r e a t e c e d o r ecdenic j c Korth AfrSca (IUC!: 198C), 15: 9cc .x i c T x i s i e , b ~ t t h e l o c a l c o c s e r v a t i o c stat. . is is sckcowc f o r a l l of then. A t tk,e c a t j o c a l l e v e l t h e r e a r e 307 r a r e acd 99 very r s r e p l a c t s . Of those 405 p l a c t s , 335 a r e d i s t j c c t s p e c i e s ( c o t s s h s p e c i e s o r forms), which Is :5 5 of t h e t o t a l f l o r a . T z c j s j a ' s r a r e f l o r a i c c l ~ d e 6 spec ie s erdem5c to the c o . x t r y acd F: s p e c i e s e ~ d e n i c to T!orth Af r i ca acd t h e c o r t h e r c Sahare . I c d i v i d - e l s p e c i e s i c ceed o f p ro t ac t i . oc a r e d isccssed .

Y a ~ y of t h e p l a c t s a r e v a l o a b l e a s a g e c e t i c r e s o z r c e . I n p o r t a c t forage p l a c t s ( ~ ( ~ r t . ; s commzcis, Urglcea mar i t ime, D a p h ~ e - tecacisi=d p l a c t s of food v a l ~ e Cocservat ior- acd research of t h e r e r e p l a c t s ecd g e r e t i c reso;;rces i s dore by t h e Agrocomy I n s t i t - t e s ( I ~ A T , IHSAT) , Gece t i c Beso-xces Cec te r (IXRST), ! J a t ~ r e P r o t e c t i o c A s s o c i a t j o r (ATPXE) acd t h e c a t i o c z l J:kB c o r m i t t e e .

Fauca - TccSsia he= s z f f e r e d a d r a s t i c d e c l i c e i c f a c c a i c t h e p a s t cec t a ry .

Abo,t '= s p ~ c S e s o f mammals, 400 s p e c i e s of b i r d s , acd more t h a c 500 spec ie s of he rpes acd f i s h c a c s t i l l be foucd. However, a l l o f t h e l a r g e mammals a r e t h r e a t e c e d , w i th t h e excep t ioc of t h e wi ld boar S a s s c r o f a b a r b a r ~ s . li0r.k s e a l s (!;ocachus nocachzs) have a lmost beee e x t i r p a t e d . Seve ra l mammal s p e c i e s ' ( n o s t l y r w a r e ecdemic t o Korth Af r i ca . Rare acd ecdacgered mammals i c t h e IUC9 Red Data Book ( i c : Gree t 1980) i ~ c l s d e :

Barbary hyeca Barbary d e e r Dorcas g a z e l l e

Hyaecs hyaeca ba rba ra Cervss e l a p h s s b a r b a r m Gaze l l e do rcas n a s s a e s y l a G . c - v j e r i - C. l ~ n t o c e r o ~

Rare acd endacgered b i r d s l i s t e d i c t h e Red Data Book (IUCC 1985) t h a t o c c x i c T u c i s i a inc l i ide :

k'hite s t o r k P e r e g r i n e Xarbled t e a l A c d o ~ i c ' s g u l l White-headed dack Red-cecked c t g h t j a r Red k j . te Hoiibara bas t a rd Whi te - ta i led s e a e a g l e L i t t l e bas t a rd Bearded v u l t c r e S l ende r -b i l l ed curlew

To conserve t h e r a r e acd ecdacgered f auca , 32 mammal s p e c i e s and macy b i r d s p e c i e s were s cbmj t t ed f o r i c c l u s j o n cnde r t h e r e g c l a t i o c s s e t by t h e Cocvect ioc oc I c t e r c a t i o c a l Trade o f Endangered Spec i e s (CITES). The Fo res t ry D i r e c t o r a t e , D i r e c t o r a t e o f t h e Ecvironmect, ATPBE and N a t i o c a l O r c i t h o l o g i c a l Assoc i a t i oc ( A A O ) a r e icvolved i c c o c s e r v a t i o c a c t i v i t i e s .

There a r e 7 major ecosystems i c T c c i s i a : c o a s t a l , i s l a c d , v e t l a c d , mo~c ta i r . , s t eppe , d e s e r t acd o a s i s .

T i c i s j a g s 1200 km a f c o e s t g i v e i t oce of t h e h i g h e s t c o a s t : s c r f a c e a r e a r a t i o s i c Af r i ca . The e a r t h c a a s t i s deep acd has i npo r t ac t . f o r n a t i a c s a f red c o r a l r e e f s . S a z t h e r c c a a s t a l a r e a s a r e sha l lower and provide i c t e r c a t i o c a l l y i m p o r t a c t f e e d i c g a r e a s f o r mig ra t i cg s h a r e b i r d s . The e c t i r e c o a s t l i c e has a r i c h d i v e r s i t y of marine f acca . S i g h t major i s l a c d a r ch ipe l agos acd s e v e r a l s m a l l i s l a c d s a r e d i s t r i b c t e d a l o c g t h e coas t . I s l a c d s a r e a c i c t e r e s t i c g s p e c i a l h e b j t a t acd sane r a r e acd ecdez ic s p e c i e s faced o r t h e i s l a c d s i c c l u d e mock s e a l s , r a b b i t s , A c d o ~ i c ' s g c l l s acd E l e o c o r a ' s f a l c a c s .

O f t h e mare t h a c 100 permacect acd temporary v e t l a c d s , macy a r e of i c t e r c a t i a c a l impar tacce . Each y e a r more t han 75,000 f lamicgos , 400,000 a c a t i d s ( d ~ c k s ) acd 250,000 c a o t s acd maorhecs u se t h e ue t l acd acd c o a s t a l a r ea s . The wet lacds i c c l c d e 7 l a r g e marjce l a k e s acd more t h a c 30 s a l t l a k e s ( s ebkhe t s acd c h o t t s ) . S e v e r a l f r e s h w a t e r wet lacds e x i s t , i c c l u d i c e a t l e a s t 7 p e r m a c ~ c t acd macy s e a s a c a l l a k e s . Dar Fatma, R pea t bog i n the r3rthwest. has mary rare ard gzographically isolated plant species.

Five major m o c n t a i . ~ sys tems c o c t a i c most o f t h e f o r e s t s acd endemic p l a n t s of T u c i s i a . I n t h e c o r t h w e s t t h e ~ h r o e n i r i e h o g o d mauctain c h a i c s a r e t h e w e t t e s t p a r t o f t h e c o c c t r y acd ba rba ry d e e r l i v e jc f o r e s t s of cork oak Querccs s~;ber, zen oak Q. c a c a r i e n s j s and t h e r a r e Q. a f a r e s . The High T e l l acd Ti ic i s ian Dorsa l mocnta je r a c g e s s h e l t e r ecdacgered Cuv ie r ' s g a z e l l e s acd hyeca i c P i c a s h a l i p e c s j s / Q c e r c c s jlex f o r e s t s . A few s t a c d s a f t h e r a r e maple t r e e Acer m a c s ~ e s s z l a c ~ s occur i c t h e T a c i s i a c Dorsa l acd thzya C a l l j t r i s a r t i c c l a t a , a s p e c i e s wj th t r o p i c a l a f f i c i t i e s , i s domicact ic t h e f o r e s t s of Rori Korc ice Tlatiocal Park. Mocctaics ic the High S t e p p e s o f c e c t r a l T c c j s i a acd t h e Docj ra t m a ~ c t a i c s o f s o i t h e r c T c c i s i a a r e domicated by J w j p e r c s acd o t h e r s p e c i e s cha rac t e r ] st; c of degraded f o r e s t s , j c which aasdad (barbary mo ic t a i c sheep) Anmatragis l e r v j a occGr.

iii

Vast a r e a s a r e domicated by s t e p p e v e g e t a t i o c . The High Steppes r e a r Kasser ice c o c t a i c t h e d e c s e s t e s p a r t o g r a s s S t i v a t e c c a c i s s i a o of t h e cocc t ry acd a p rocess i cg p l a n t has been c o c s t r c c t e d make paper from espa r to f i b e r s . Wild boar .acd hyeca a r e commocly foccd i r t h e l!j.gh Steppes. Low S teppes , e a s t of S i d i Bou Zid and i n t h e Kairocac a r e a a r e domicated by sage ~ r t e m e s i a acd Zizyphus l o t u s acd t h e h a l o p h j l e vege ta t ion of t h e many s a l t l a k e s d i s t r i b u t e d i c t h e r e g i o r . Threateced hocbara b i i s ta rds n e s t i n t h e low s t eppes . The l a s t remaicicg remcacts of t h e sub-Sahara type savanna d o n i ~ a t e d by Acacia raddiaca t r e e s a r e f o m d i c t h e S c b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t eppe a t Bou Hedma. Addax, oryx and o s t r i c h - e x t i r p a t e d i n t h e p a s t c e c t u r y - have beec re- iatroduced a t Bou Hedma, and dorcas g a z e l l e s e x i s t t h e r e and i c t h e r eg ion of Hamada. Ic t h e Subdese r t i c C o c t i c e ~ t a l S t eppe , s a g e p l a i c s grade t o Rhactherium and Arthraphytsm p l a i c s - t h e f o r n e r r a c g e o f s e v e r a l s p e c i e s of ~ c g c l a t e s .

The Sahara d e s e r t o r Eas ter r . Cracd Erg a r e dominated by pseudo-fores ts of C s l l i g o c ~ m comosm acd t h e Gracd Rrg e ~ d e m i c s C. a z e l a rd C. a r i c h . There a r e more t h a r 2,500,000 ha o f Sahara type d e s e r t ir . T x i s i a ; i f d e s e r t i c s t e p p e s a r e i c c l c d e d t h e a r e a is c.S,000,000 ha. ' J e g e t a t i o r removal acd wicd e r o s i o c a r e i c c r e a s i c g t h e d e s e r t a r e a by 18,000 ha each yea r . Ecdargered s lecder-horced g a z e l l e s , t h e North A f r i c e r e rden ic gccd i acd a wide v a r i e t y of b i r d s acd h e r p e s a r e foucd i c t h e d e s e r t .

Dispersed i c t h e s t e p p e s acd d e s e r t edges a r e more t h a r 75,000 ha of oasss . I c t e c s e c u l t i v a t i o c r e s t r i c t s t h e n a t u r a l v e g e t a t j m , but some r a r e p l a c t s do occur. Few mammals t o l e r a t e t h e hjgh r a t e 9f hcmac a c t i v i t y i r t h e o a s e s , b c t t h e l u s h v e g e t a t i o c provides impor tac t f e e d i c g acd r e s t i c g s i t e s f o r macy s e d e r t a r y p a s s e r i c e acd migratory b i r d s . B io log ica l d i v e r s i t y d a t a summaries a r e g i v e c f ~ r each g x v e r c o r a t .

Major Ecv i ro rmer t a l I r f l u e c c e s

Altho..igh t h e T u c i s i a c c o a s t i s one of t h e c l e a r e r p a r t s sf t h e ) l ed i t e r r a rea r s e a , ~ c t r e a t e d sewage acd chemica l ly coc tamira ted wastewater a r e discharged a r d garbage is dcmped i c t o t h e s e a acd s e v e r a l s a l t l a k e s . I c t e r s i v e f i s h j c g a c t i v i t y acd c o r a l h a r v e s t i c g a l s o d i s r ~ p t s mary c o a s t a l ecosystems.

Some of t h e most s e r i o u s ecv i rocmec ta l impacts a r e r e s c l t s of dam p r o j e c t s upstream from i m p o r t a c t wet lacds . Two of t h e most impor t ac t wetlacds i c T c c i s i a , which a r e a l s o ve ry impor t an t oc a e i c t e r c a t j o e a l l e v e l have beec d r a s t i c a l l y a f f e c t e d by dams. A dec rease i c f r e shwa te r ic f low has p c t Lake I chkeu l i n dacge r of a major chacge i c s a l i c i t y , which woiild s e v e r e l y reduce i t s v a l u e t o waterfowl. Sebkhet Kelbia cow ho lds water f o r m ~ c h s h o r t e r p e r i o d s o f t ime than be fo re t h e Nebhaca dan was b u i l t , thiis r edcc icg t h e t ime pe r iod f o r b i r d s t o hatch acd f l edge .

F ~ r e s t deg rada t ioc is o c c ~ r r i c g a t an a larming r a t e or. ' the m o c r t a i r s , acd i c macy a r e a s e s p a r t o g r a s s i s b e i r g ha rves t ed f o r t h e paper p l a r t f a s t e r than i t cac r e g e r e r a t e . Overg raz i cg acd fcelwnod zrd fodder c o l l e c t i o ~ a l s o r e d ~ c e s t h e groccd cover and a c c e l e r a t e s e r o s i 9 ~ acd d e s e r t 5 f i c a t i c c . \!ith over 18 ,000 ha l o s t a c c ~ a l l g t o d e s e r t i f i c a t j OK, t h i s nus t be cons idered t h e p r i n e e c o l o g i c a l c o r c e r c a f TucSsSa.

Wacipclat ion o f wa te r r e s o u r c e s f o r i r r i g a t i o c acd domestic iise i s r e s o l t i n g i c t h e d e s s i c a t i o c of some o a s e s and dune format ioc i s t h r e a t e c i c g o the r s . Large a r e a s o f skeppe have beer. co l t i va t . ed , o f t e c ~ s i c g equipmect scch a s d i s c plows i c i c a p p r o p r i a t e a r e a s , which l e a d s t o vind e r o s i o c acd diice f o r n a t i o c .

' Habi t a t l o s s and poaching a r e s e r i o i i s l y t h r e a t e n i n g much of t h e c a t i o n a l fauca. Chances f o r r e c u p e r a t i o n of t h e mock s e a l Mocach~s mocachcs p o p ~ l a t i o c a r e s l i m , biit r e c e c t p r o t e c t i o c e f f o r t s have showc eccouragice r e s u l t s f o r g a z e l l e s , aoudad, ba rba ry d e e r acd hyeca.

P r o t e c t i o r

F o r e s t r y code law l!o. 66-60 p r o v i d e s t h e l e e a l b a s i s f o r e s t a b l i s h i r e p ro t ec t ed rese-ves a rd c a t i o n a l parks . There a r e c c r r e c t l y 5 n a t i o c a l pa rks , 2 proposed c a t i o c a l pa rks acd 9 r e s e r v e s p r o t e c t i n g some of t h e n o s t impor tac t ecosystems of T x i s i a . There a r e a l s o recommecdetiocs f o r t h e e s t a b l i s h n e c t of :9 e d d i t i o c a l p r o t e c t e d a r e a s (IUC;: t987) . A goa l of t h e program is t o have a c n t i o c a l park r e p r e s e c t i c e each of t h e major e c o s y s t e m of T c c i s i a . So f e r i s l a c d embr bra) , wetlacd ( I c h k e ~ l ) , thoyz mouctaic f o r e s t ( 9 o i ~ o r c i c e ) , a l e p p o p i c e mouctaic f o r e s t (Chambi ) , acd a r i d m~~ic ta ic /~se ;do-savacca ( B ~ L ~ e d m a ) ecosystems a r e r ep re sec t ed acd t h e cex t 2 a r e a s c e d e r c o c s i d e r a t i o c r e p r e s e c t oak f o r e s t ( 2 1 ~ e i d j a ) and d e s e r t ( ~ i d i Toci - ~ a m a d a ) ecosystems.

?bst r a t i o n a l pa rks a l r e a d y have macagemect p l a c s with i t e n i z e d biidgets acd oc ly need a d d i t i o c a l s t a f f acd f i c a c c e s t o i n p l e n e c t t h e p l a c s . U r f o r t s c a t e l y , bcdget problems have reduced c a t i o c a l park macagemect t o a m i c i n m of p r o t e c t i o c acd l i t t l e p ~ b l i c c s e i s al lowed. Des igca t ioc of a p r o t e c t e d a r e a c a r a l s o be o v e r r ~ l e d by o t h e r i n t e r e s t s , a s i c t h e ca se of t h e Lake 3 s n i s P r o t e c t e d V e t l a r d , which is c ~ r r e c t l y be i cg f i l l e d f o r developmect.

There a r e a comber o f w e t l a c d s acd moccta ics p ro t ec t ed from h c c t i c g , a rd s p e c i a l zoces where g r a z i n g i s p r o h i b i t e d o r o c l y allowed i c y e a r s of extreme forage sho r t ages . Tar5 s i a i s s i g r a t o r y t o t h e Vorld ??eri. tage c o n v e ~ t i o c ( 1 975 ) , Ramsar c o c v e c t i o c (: 976) acd t h e Earce locs c s c v e c t i o c (1977).

Bi 'ological D i v e r s i t v P ro t ec t i . oc Needs

d i v be

Add i t i oca l p r o t e c t i o c i s needed t o s tem t h e deg rada t ioc of b i o l o g i c a l e r s i t y i c T ~ c i s i a . To e s t a b l i s h a base f o r f l o r a p r o t e c t i o c , i t wocld adv i sab l e t o i c v e c t o r y t h e c a t i o c a l f l o r a , e s t a b l i s h a Ka t ioca l

h e r b a r i . ~ m acd c r e a t e a b o t a c i c g a r d e r . The f a m a a r e i c reed of p r o t e c t i o c through t h e improvemer.t of law ecforcemect c a p a b i l i t i e s acd c o c t r o l of i l l e g a l commerce i c w i l d l i f e p roduc t s .

h'hile t h e i c t e c t of t h e p r o t e c t e d a r e a system is w e l l foicdod acd i s of g r e e t i npo r t acce f o r t he p r e s e r v a t i o c acd echarcenec t o f SSoloqlca l d i v e r s i t y , t h e r e i s a d e s p e r a t e ceed f o r a d d i t i o c a l f x d i c ~ , t r e i c e d s t a f f acd eqliipnect. The n a t i o c a l pa rks a r e a l s o i c need of i r , p rmed p i b l i c acces s .

Effec t ive p o l l c t i o c c o c t r o l l e g i s l a t i o c should be passed, ecforcemect s t recgtheced acd the techcology acd meam t o comply with the l e g i s l a t i o n shocld be made a v a i l a b l e t o t h e major p o l l c t i o n sources (chemical i c d s s t r i e s , p ~ b l i c sewage and t r a s h systems). Marine ecosystems a r e i n reed af iccreased p ro tec t ioc ; e s p e c i a l l y f o r the c o r a l r e e f s , mock s e a l s acd i c t e r c a t i o r a l l y importact Gulf of Gabes i c t e r t i d a l eoces.

Ichkezl National Park is i n immediate danger of d r a s t i c changes in i t s ecosystems, t o t h e detriment of macy s p e c i e s of ecdangered o r vulnerable b i r d s and r a r e p lac t s . Ameltoratioc p r o j e c t s have beec proposed, but fucds f o r implementatioc a r e lacking. Sebkhet Kelbia is a l s o i n need of a c t i o c (water re leases from upstream r e s e r v o i r s ) and i t would echacce b io log ica l d i v e r s i t y to i c c r e a s e p r o t e c t i o c f o r the Dar Fatma bog acd Oued Essed pools

Increased p r a t e c t i o c of E l F e i d j a , Djebel Zaghoiiac acd Djebel I c h k e ~ l uocl? be des i rab le . Tropical fo res t . acd mocctaic h a b i t a t cocld be e c h a ~ c e d by ass9 s t i r 6 w j t h Bou Korrine Ha t j ana l Park.

A ~ t l - d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c p r o j e c t s , s;ch a s dcce s t a b j l i z a t i o n and r e f a r e s t a t l o r shauld be increased accardicg t o the Natiocal Ar-ti- d e s e r t i f j c a t i a r . St ra tegy ard i c a macrer compatible with the c a t s r a l ecosgstens ( ? r q e r specj e s s e l e c t i o c ) .

PART I

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

1. INTRODUCTION

T c c i s j a ' t h e e r e e c ' was occe t h e b readbaske t of t h e Romac Empire. Ac enazicg d i v e r s i t y of ecosystems end a c i m a l s e x i s t e d , i c c l ~ d i n g l j o c s , barbary apes , and e l e p h a c t s and savannas s i m i l a r t o t hose i c scb-Saharac Afr ica . The ecvirocmect has changed d r a s t i c a l l y s i c c e t h e R~mac e r a , b ~ t t h e r e is s t i l l a wide ranee o f ecosystems c o c t a i c i c g d i v e r s e f a m a acd f l o r a .

Ic t h i s siirvey, t h e f l o r a and fauna a r e be d i scussed , followed by d e s c r i p t i o c s of t h e sevec primary ecosystems ( c o a s t a l zones, i s l a c d s , wet lacds , mocctains, s t e p p e s , d e s e r t acd oases ) and t h e i r b i o l o g i c a l compocects, a s we l l a s t h e i c f l c e c c e s on them. Summary s h e e t s f o r each gouverr.orat a r e c ross- referecced t o t h e s e c t i o c s on ecosystems. The s e c t i o c on b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y p r o t e c t i o c i n c l u d e s agecc ie s i cv loved , l e g i s l a t i o c , s i t e s acd ceeds.

The b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y o f T u c i s i a evokes mixed responses. I t i s f a s c i c a t i c g whec viewed i c i ts e n t i r e t y , somewhat d ishear tec j .ng whec compared t o what i t once was acd eccourag5.r.g whec viewed i c l i g h t of t h e r e s ~ l t s of some r e c e c t p r o t e c t i o c e f f o r t s . U c f o r t c c a t e l y , f o r every s i t e p ro t ec t ed , macy more a r e t h r e a t e c e d , s o coc t inced e f f o r t s must be made t o preserve t h e prec ious n a t u r a l h e r i t a g e o f T u ~ i a i e .

2. BACKGROUND INFOREATIOC ON TUNISIA

2.1 . THE COUNTRY

Betveec Alge r i a acd Ljbya 5s T u c i s i a , t h e coi ictry wi th t h e cor thercmost e x t e c s i o c i c Af r i ca . The s m a l l e s t o f t h e Haghreb c a t i o n s (16 m i l l i o c h e c t a r e s ) , Ti ic i s ia has a r i c h c u l t u r a l acd s o c i a l h e r i t a g e , a s we l l a s a d i v e r s i t y of c a t u r a l ecosystems. Macy empires have played a r o l e ic t h e h i s t o r y of T u n i s i a , r a c g i c g from Phoenic ians through t h e Romans, Byzac t i ce s , Arabs and Ottomac Turks, t o t h e French. Uc l ike t h e o t h e r Maghreb c a t i o c s , t h e Arab i c v a s i o c s i n Tun j s i a were s o thorough t h a t t h e o r i g i c a l Berber p o p d a t i o c cow oc ly r e p r e s e c t s 1 % of t h e t o t a l ; cocf iced mainly t o t h e moiir.taics i n t h e nor thwest and t h e d r y so i i therc parts of t h e couct ry . The t o t a l ca t . ioca1 p o p u l a t i o c i c mid-:985 was 7,259,000.

X b o ~ t 355 of P i c i s i a ' s l a b o r f o r c e is i cvo lved i c a g r i c d t i i r e ; growing wheat, b a r l e y , o l i v e s acd c l t r i i s f r u i t ( 7 6 of a r a b l e l a r d ) o r r a i s i n g sheep, g o a t s , c a t t l e acd camels. Thus, 25% of Ti ic i s ia is c u l t i v a t e d acd g raz i cg c c c c s OE n o s t xc . i l t : va t ed acd ucdeveloped l a r d .

2.2. CLIMATE

I?-e t o t h e v a r i e d topDgraphy, e x t e c s j v e c o a s t l i n e , l ong !I-S a x i s acd the presecce of t h e Sahara d e s e r t , t h e c l i m a t i c c o c d i t i o c s o f T u c i s i a vary g r e a t l y t h r o ~ g h o ~ t . t h e coi ictry. Yearly r a i c f a l l s va ry from a few m i l l i n e t e r s I c t h e soi i th t o over 7500 mm i c t h e c o r t h e r c moiictaics. R a i c f a l l is nost. ab::cdart i c s p r i c g and autumc, w i th t h e lowest percentage ic snrnmer. Scow f a l l s o r macy of t h e h i g h e r mouctaic peaks, biit c s u a l l y melt.s i c 2 m a t t e r of days.

o Tem erat.;res vary from below 0 C du r i cg w i c t e r i c t h e moiictaics t o 8 over 50 ic t h e s n m e r sou th of Cafsa. However, i c most o f t h e couc t ry t h e t e n p s r a t ~ r e s a r e nodera ted by t h e Medi ter raceac Sea. Temperature and precip5 t a t i o c d e t a f o r l o c a t i o c s i c each goiivercorat ( a d m i c i s t r a t i v e d i s t r i c t ) a r e g i v e r i c Table 1 .

Wicds a r e a l s o a f f e c t e d by t h e Hed i t e r r aceac , and d a i l y l a r d b r e e z e s acd sea b reezes occur a long most o f t h e c o a s t , a s w e l l a s f r equen t s t r o c g e r wicds. Ac i n p o r t a c t wicd-re la ted c l i m a t e f a c t o r is t h e occcr recce o f S i rocco v i r d s , which a r e h o t , d ry wicds from t h e Sahara t h a t d e s s i c a t e v e g e t a t i o c acd s o i l s i n t h e summer.

A system o f c l a s s i f y i c g temperat i i re acd p r e c i p i t a t i o c d a t a , used widely Sc t h e l i t e r a t ~ r e oe !lorth Af r i cac b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y i s t h a t o f b i o c l i n e t e s . Bi oc l ima tes a r e based o r tempera ture and p r e c i p i t a t i o c d a t a z s i c g Fkbe rge r ' s ? io t j e c t , ob ta i ced bg t h e f o l l o w i r g f o r m ~ l a :

where p = Mean annual p r e c i p i t a t i o n M = Wean maximum temperature of the h o t t e s t month m = Mean minimum temperature of the co ldes t month

(temperatures i n degrees ~ e l v i n )

Embergeras Quot ien t is used t o ass ign bioclimate ca tegor ies i n the following manner:

I f Q is: > 110

then the bioclimate is: Humid (HI subhumid- (SH) Semi-arid Superior (SAS) Semi-arid I n f e r i o r (SAI ) A r i d Super ior (AS) Arid I n f e r i o r (AI) Saharan Superior (SS) Saharan I n f e r i o r (sI)

Variants of the above biocl imates a r e separated according t o the average minimum temperatures of the co ldes t month ( i n degrees ~ e l s i u s ) , a s below:

I f m is: then the winter v a r i a n t is: > 7 hot

mild temperate cool

Table 1 . Climate and Biocl imate Data f o r S e v e r a l Locat ions i n Tun i s i a

Location P T m YI B

Beja Jendouba Ain Draham E l Fe id j a Tabarka C a l i t e Le Kef Skl iana Maktar B i z e r t e Ichkeul Nabeul Zembra Tunis Zaghouar. Kairouan Kasser ine Chambi Skdi Bou Zid Bou Hedma Mahdia Monastir Kur i a t e Sousse E n f i d a v i l l e Sfax Kerkemah Cabes Matmata Cafsa Keb i l i Medenine Je rba Douira t Bah i r e t e l Bibane Ta t aou ine Remada Grand E a s t e r n Erg Tozeur

SH, t SAS, t H , t H - SH,t H,m SH - SA SAS , c SAS, t SA, c SH,m SH,h SAS , h SH , t - m SAS , m SAS-SH, t AS, t AS, c AS-SH , c AS, t A,c SAI ,h SAI , h SAI , m SAI ,m SAI , m AS ,m SA,h AI,h A 1 , m AI ,c SS, c A 1 , m A , h-m A , t AS,m A I , t SS, t S1,c SS,c

P = Mear, annual precfpi tat iono(rnm) T = Mean annua l Temperature ( C)

0 m = Mean min. temp. of c o l d e s t month ( o ~ ) M = Mean max. temp. of h o t t e s t morth ( C) B = Biocl imate H = Humid SH = Subhumid SAS = Semi-arid S u p e r i o r

SAI = Semi-arid I n f e r i o r AS = Arid Supe r io r A 1 = Arid I n f e r i o r SS = Sahara r Superkor S I = Saharan I r f e r i o r

h = h o t w i n t e r v a r i a n t m = mild w i c t e r va r . t = t empera te w i c t e r va r . c = coo l w i n t e r var .

2.3. FLORA

The vascular p lan t s of Tunisia represent 115 fami l ies , 742 genera and approximately 2200 species. Of the 115 fami l ies , 4 a r e represented by more than 100 species ( ~ a b l i 1987):

Asteraceae (254 spec ies ) Craminae ( 197) Papilionaceae (21 6 ) Cruciferae (108)

A na t iona l t o t a l of 2200 species i s f a i r l y high compared t o the adjacent countr ies of Algeria (3150 spec ies ) and Libya (1800 spec i e s ) , both of which a r e severa l times l a rge r i n area than Tunisia.

. The lack of high mountains i n Tunisia has l imi ted t he evolution of endemic p lan t s t o a t o t a l of 34, of which 14 a r e d i s t i n c t species ( f i gu re 1 ) and 20 a r e i n f r a spec i f i c ( ~ a b l i 1987). There a r e severa l o ther p lan t s t h a t may be endemic t o Tunisia, but i n s u f f i c i e n t information i s knoun of t h e i r range t o be ce r ta in . The t o t a l number of t r u e endemics is not l i k e l y t o be much over 50, which i s considerably l e s s than the number i n Algeria and Libya (approximately 250 and 134 endemics, respect ively - Heywood 1987).

Of 870 spec ies of p lan t s t h a t a r e r a r e , threatened o r endemic i n North Africa (IUCN 1980), 151 occur i n Tunisia. The cu r r en t l o c a l conservation s t a t u s is unknown f o r most of them and a l l have been i n su f f i c i en t l y documented f o r f i n a l s t a t u s designation. A t t h e na t i ona l l eve l , there a r e 307 rare and 99 very r a r e p lan t s ( ~ n n e x 1 ) . Of those 406 plants , 335 a r e d i s t i n c t species (not subspecies o r forms), which i s 15% of the f l o r a . I n Algeria, r a r e p lan t s cons t i t u t e 33% of the t o t a l . Tun i s i a ' s rare f l o r a include 7 spec ies endemic t o the country ( f i g u r e 1 ) and 81 species endemic t o North Africa and the northern Sahara. About 60% of ~ u n i s i a ' s r a r e p lan t s occur i n the nor th and 32% occur i n t h e cen t e r and south.

Figure 1 Plant Species Endemic t o Tunis ia

v Teucrium radicans v L inar ia paradoxa r Pancratum foetidum r L. cossoni r Sporobolus tourneuxi i r Crepis tunetana

Marrubium aschersoni i Scabiosa fa r inosa Plantago tunetana S i l ene b a r r a t t e i (IUCN 1980)

r Lathyrus brachyodus Rumex tune tanus VI

Anarrhinum brevifolium Paronychia chabloziana "

Important f a c t o r s inf luencing the r a r e p l a n t s ( ~ a b l i

- wetland d ra in ing and dam construct ion, which d e s s i c a t e important p l a n t h a b i t a t s ; - herb ic ides , e s p e c i a l l y a e r i a l app l ica t ions ; and - urbac expansion.

987 ) include :

o r flood

Although t h e r e i s a f a i r l y good d a t a base, informat ion on the f l o r a i s in need of completion, cor rec t ion and updating. The two main f l o r a s of Tunisia (cuenod 1954, Po t t i e r -Alape t i t e 1979) a r e both incomplete. A complete n a t i o n a l inventory i s needed t o provide comparative information f o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l cooperation i n conservation s t r a t e g i e s . A t the very l e a s t , a complete c h e c k l i s t of the n a t i o n a l f l o r a should be prepared (~eywood 1987 ) . The Conservation Monitoring Centre ( CMC) of the I n t e r n a t i o n a l Union f o r the Conservation o f Nature (IUCN) can give advice on i n v e n t o r i e s and t h e preparat ion of c h e c k l i s t s and they maintain worldwide computerized p l a n t databases, which i s h e l p f u l i n determining endemism, r a r i t y and conservation p r i o r i t i e s .

I n the process of a na t iona l inventory, i t would a l s o be des i rab le t o c o l l e c t specimens and e s t a b l i s h a complete n a t i o n a l herbarium f o r proper documentation and t o serve a s a reference f o r o t h e r research. Herbariums a l ready e x i s t a t the agronomy i n s t i t u t e s , but they a r e not complete o r e a s i l y accessed. Assessments should a l s o be made of the spec ies a c t u a l o r p o t e n t i a l economic value , both f o r t r a d i t i o n a l and modern uses. Scat tered references on p l a n t uses a r e a v a i l a b l e (ex. Le f l o c ' h 1983, Burol le t 19271, ba t they should be consolidated t o provide complete information f o r determicing g e n e t i c resource conservation p r i o r i t i e s .

2.3.1. Genetic Resources

The term 'gene t i c resources ' is used here t o denote p l a n t s of a c t u a l o r p o t e c t i a l economic value. This includes , bu t i s no t l imi ted t o , na t ive crop spec ies , c rop r e l a t i v e s , f o r e s t r y s p e c i e s , fo rage p l a n t s , o i l o r f i b e r p l a n t s , aromatics and medicinal l a n t s . F o r e s t r y spec ies a r e described i n P a r t I1 ( ~ r o p i c a l Fores t s 7 . The wide a r r a y of t r a d i t i o n a l uses of macy p l a n t s is too much t o be discussed i n t o t a l here , so only p a r t i a l l i s ts a r e given. Le f l o c ' h (1983) and B u r o l l e t (1927) give more complete l is ts of cur ren t and t r a d i t i o n a l p l a n t uses .

A. Crop Species and Re la t ives

Wild o l i v e europaea o l e a s t e r is a n a t i v e t r e e t h a t is cu l t iva ted f o r i ts o l i v e s o r used a s root s tock, t o which b e t t e r producing v a r i e t i e s a r e graf ted. The w i l d o l i v e i s h a r d i e r than domestic v a r i e t i e s and can withstand h a r s h e r c l imat ic condit ions. I t is widespread i n northern Tunisia and occurs on many mountains i n c e n t r a l Tunis ia . I n add i t ion t o i ts crop va lue , wild o l i v e s a r e a l s o grazed by l i v e s t o c k .

Carob Ceratonia s i l i q u a i s a t r e e t h a t has become na tu ra l i zed i n Tunisia. The seed pods can be used t o produce a choco la te s u b s t i t u t e ,

i n d u s t r i a l a lcoho l o r wine, and t ragaso l ( l o c u s t bean gum). Trad i t iona l uses inclade surv iva l food f o r the poor, l i v e s t o c k fodder, and tannin productioc. Tuc i s ia is one of the world's top 8 producers of carob ( ~ e r w i ~ 1981 ) . Wild carob is d i s t r i b u t e d throughout most, of non-desert Tunisia, usua l ly s c a t t e r e d i n assoc ia t ions of wild o l i v e az~d P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s (0 lea - len t i scus formations). Carob i s a l s o one of the few t r e e s - i n Tunisia with t r o p i c a l a f f i n i t i e s ( s e e P a r t 11, Trop ica l ~ o r e s t s ) .

Wild blackberry Rubus ulmifol ius is o f t e n grown i n gardens f o r i ts f r u i t . It produces well i n favorable condi t ions and wild bushes a r e sometimes harvested. Wild blackberr ies a r e most common along streams and watersheds and can be found i n brush f i e l d s and hedges i n , and nor th o f , the Tunis iac Dorsal moantain range.

Wild grape V i t i s v i n i f e r a ssp. s i l v e s t r i s and subspontaneous domestic grapes Vitis v i c i f e r a ssp. s a t i v a occur along s t reams and i n humid ravines ir! the ~ r o a r n l m - d mountains and Cap Bon, o r i n abandonned gardens. The f r a i t s of t h e w i l d grapes a r e eaten acd could be valuable f o r hybrid cross icgs .

There e ra o t h e r p l a c t s i c Tunisia t h a t a r e no t a c t u a l crop species , but have r d i b l i p a r t s t h a t a r e co l l ec ted f o r consumption by people o r l ives tock . Thosa spec ies icc lude:

Qaercas saber (cork oak): acorcs f o r forage 4. i l i ~ (holm oak) : acorns f o r forage and human cocsumptioc -- A r b a t ~ s ucedo: e d i b l e f r u i t s - commercial s a l e s Crataigus sp. (hawthore) : ed ib le f r u i t s Picus halepansis (aleppo pine) : ed ib le seeds - commercial s a l e s

B. Aromatic and Nedicicel P lan t s

Mary types of p l a c t s , o r p a r t s of them, a r e harvested f o r t h e i r aroma, f l avor o r medicical proper t ies . Trad i t iona l uses cover a wide spectrum acd the presence of h e r b a l i s t s a t most l o c a l markets shows t h a t wild plants are s t i l l commocly used.

Some p l a n t s , such a s jasmine Jasminum f r u t i c a n s have f ragran t flowers t h a t a r e c o l l e c t e d t o produce perfumes, o r o i l s t h a t a r e d i s t i l l e d and sold ( ~ r i c a sp. ) . Other p l a n t s , including rosemary Rosmarinus o f f i c i n a l i s , thyme Thymus sp. , oregano Origan sp. and capers Capparis spinosa a r e used a s sp ices i n cooking. I n 1984, approximately 58,000 ha of rosemary acd 4,500 ha of capers were harvested.

Medicical uses of p lan t p a r t s is a well e s t a b l i s h e d p rac t i ce . While modern medicines have replaced many of the t r a d i t i o n a l remedies, people withoat the meacs t o buy, o r access t o , commercial medicices still r e l y on, acd sone p r e f e r , medicical p l a r t s . A wide v a r i e t y of p lan t s a r e used ( f i g a r e 2) t o cure a i l m e r t s ranging from headaches, stomach aches and diarrhea t o cur icg i n f e c t i o ~ s and eas ing c h i l d b i r t h . Pharmacists throaghout the world have s tadied the chemical na tu re of medicinal p lan t s i c order t3 discover new drugs o r improve o thers . I n Tunis ia , s tud ies

have been made of medicinal p l a n t s ( ~ a b l i 1987) such as :

A juga i v a Urginea maritima Zygophyllum album Nerium oleander Daphne gnidium

Export of medic inal p l a n t s i s a l s o a source of f o r e i g n exchange. O i l from Myrtus communis is highly valued i n some european countr ies . Each year , branches a r e c u t from thousands o f ha (9,000 i n 1984) of Hyrtus f o r e x t r a c t i o n of o i l reputed t o he lp t r e a t rheumatism and o t h e r ai lments.

C. F ibe r P l a n t s

Vegetable f i b e r is obtained from dwarf palm Chamaerops humilis. I n 1975 over 350 m e t r i c t o n s of dwarf palm l e a v e s were harves ted a t a value of 30,000 Tunis ian Dinars. Valuable l eaves and somewhat slow regeneration make dwarf palm s e n s i t i v e t o overharvesting. It i s a s p e c i e s warranting s p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n t o ensure i ts continued abundance.

Esparto g r a s s S t i p a tenacissima ( a l s o c a l l e d a l f a g r a s s ) i s a f i b r o u s p lan t , used t r a d i t i o n a l l y f o r weaving. A modern use of l a r g e q u a n t i t i e s of e spar to f i b e r i s t h e production of high q u a l i t y paper. Paper m i l l s i n Kasser in i use such g r e a t q u a n t i t i e s o f e s p a r t o g r a s s t h a t more than h a l f of the e s p a r t o g rass lands of Tunisia a r e exp lo i t ed . Espar to regenerates f a i r l y w e l l , bu t overharves t ing followed by g raz ing o r c u l t i v a t i o n has lead t o s e r i o u s degradat ion of the g rass lands i n many areas .

D. Forage P l a n t s

Many of ~ u n i s i a ' s grazing lands a r e degraded and occupied by poor q u a l i t y forage p lan t s . Some p l a n t s , such a s Saccharum ravennae and Andropogon sp. a r e becoming r a r e due t o o v e r g m a b l i 1987). I n d e s e r t i c a r e a s , important sand-fixing s p e c i e s a r e being decreased with s e r i o u s consequecces t o the ecosystem. Pas tu re improvement and r a t i o n a l grazicg s t r a t e g i e s a r e needed throughout Tunis ia . P a s t u r e s can be improvsd by improving t h e water regime and n u t r i e n t s of an a r e a , and by inc reas ing high q u a l i t y forage species .

The developmect of high q u a l i t y forage p l a n t s i s a concern of severa l i c t e r n a t i o c a l o rgan iza t ions and seed companies. At ten t ion has been focused on producing hybr ids of s e v e r a l types of h igh ly pa la tab le and n u t r i t i o n a l p l a n t s . To determine favorable forage p l a n t s f o r c u l t i v a t i o n and produce optimum hybr ids , a l a r g e number o f s p e c i e s a r e being t e s t e d and e f f o r t s a r e being made t o inventory t h e geographic d i s t r i b u t i o n and a v a i l a b i l i t y of some of t h e more d e s i r a b l e genera. The I n t e r n a t i o n a l Bureau f o r t h e P r o t e c t i o n of Genetic Resources i s c u r r e n t l y conducting such a study on the genus Medicago. T u n i s i a ' s f l o r a inc ludes many spec ies of p l a n t s i n genera of i n t e r e s t , inc luding 24 s p e c i e s of Medica~o , 34 spec ies of Tr i fo l ium, 6 s p e c i e s of Hedysanun (two of which a r e of high i n t e r e s t f o r l o c a l propagation) and many subspecies of these and o the r forage p l a n t s (Fes tuca , Dactyl is , e t c . ) .

Many s p s c i i s i n Tunis ia a r e of high forage value without hybr id iza t ion and need only be increased i n s u i t a b l e ecosystems (ex. Hedysarum carnosum). Nabli (1987) suggested the propagation of s e v e r a l species of

Figure 2

Examples of Medicinal P lan t Species ( i n p a r t from Burrolet 1927, Nabli 1987)

Anthemis sp. Asphodelis sp. Bryocia d io ica C a l l i t r i s a r t i c u l a t a Capparis spinosa Daphne gnidium Eruca s a t i v a Er ica sp. F icus c a r i c a Globular ia alypum Hyoscyamus a lbus Lavandula mul t i f ida Nerium oleander Peganum harmala P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s Por tu laca oleracea Reseda a lba Rosmarinus of f i c i n a l i s Solanum sodomaeum Tamarix sp. Urginea maritima Zizyphus v u l g a r i s

Artemisia sp. Ajuga i v a Centaurium sp. Cuppressus sempervirecs Cynomorium coccineam Echinops bovei E. spinosus Euphorbia sp. Fumaria sp. Habiscus esculentus Lawsonia a lba Myrtus commucis Opuntia f i cus - ind ica P h o e ~ i x d a c t y l i f e r a Plantago ep. Punica granatum Retama raetam Ruta graveolsns Thapsia gargacica U r t i c a sp. Verbascum sinuatum Zygophyllum album

forage p l a n t s t h a t have

Graminees :

Papi l ionaceaes :

Cruci ferae: Ulmaceae:

2.3.2. Species i n Need

Of t h e 406 r a r e and dimicished t o t h e po in t

become uncommon i n Tun i s ia , such as :

Themeda t r i a n d r a Festuca dryme ja Bonjeania r e c t a Onobrychis argentea a f r i c a n a Anthy l l i s barba- j o v i s Brass ica c r e t i c a ssp . a t l a n t i c a C e l t i s a u s t r a l i s

of P r o t e c t i o n

very r a r e p lan t s i n Tun i s ia , some have been t h a t they mer i t s p e c i a l p r o t e c t i o n measures t o

prevent t h e i r disappearance from t h e country. a he p rese rva t ion of a spec ies i n a country requ i res more than j u s t saving some specimens i n gardens o r a r t i f i c i a l reserves ; t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c ecosystem and associa ted p l a n t s must a l s o be preserved i n an a r e a l a r g e enough t o ensure genet ic v i a b i l i t y .

Tree s p e c i e s a r e somewhat d i f f i c u l t t o preserve o r expand i n Tunisia, due t o t h c g r e a t demand f o r fuelwood and fodder. However. c e r t a i n spec ies have been reduced t o s c a t t e r e d groves and t h e i r continued presence i n Tunisia i s u n c e r t a i c un less a s s i s t a n c e i s given.

Acacia raddiana is a h ighly p a l a t a b l e t r e e spec ies . During the Roman e ra the e n t i r e south of Tunis ia was covered by a c a c i a s i n the p la ins , giving i t an appearance s i m i l a r t o Sudan o r sub-Saharan Afr ica (P. Boudy i n : ORSTOM 1962). By 1889 only 35,000 ha of t h e a c a c i a pseudo-savanna were l e f t ; by 1921 i t was reduced t o 25,000 ha and only 5,000 ha remained i n 1938. Today t h e r e a r e only about 10 ha of t r u l y r e p r e s e n t a t i v e Acacia raddiana pseudo-savanna l e f t ( ~ i r . For. 1980). wi th some s c a t t e r e d t r e e s elsewhere i n t h e region. The t r e e s a r e now protected on more than 60,000 ha f o r the slow process of al lowing them t o become re-es tabl ished i n the region around Bou Hedma c a l l e d 'Bled Talha'.

Acer monspessulanum is a r a r e maple t r e e t h a t grows a t the summits of - Djebel Zaghouan, D j . Bargou and D j . S e r d j i n t h e Tunis ian Dorsal mountain range. Groves a t a l l 3 s i t e s a r e r e l a t i v e l y small . I f c u t t i n g were t o occur, r egenera t ion would be made d i f f i c u l t by t h e f a c t t h a t the young t r e e s a r e p a l a t a b l e forage. Although probably never widespread i n Tunis ia , the s p e c i e s m e r i t s s p e c i a l p ro tec t ion i n i t s presen t range.

Cupressus sempervirens numidica, o r Maktar cypress , only e x i s t s n a t u r a l l y ic t h r e e smal l s t a n d s i n the Kessera massif n e a r Maktar ( s e e P a r t 11, Trop ica l ~ o r e s t s ) . Although i t i s planted widely a s a windbreak t r e e , the t h r e e n a t u r a l s t a n d s should be p ro tec ted .

Quercus a f a r e s i s a r a r e oak t h a t once probably grew a s a v a s t f o r e s t i n Tunisia and Alger ia . Of the t h r e e remaining groves i n Tunis ia , the one a t E l Feidja may be protected a s p a r t of a n a t i o n a l park ( s e e Section 3.4.1 . I , acd 5 .4) , but t h e grove a t Ain Zana i s st i l l i n need of se r ious protect ioc .

Two other t r e e s of t h e Kroumirie mowta ics t h a t a r e i c ceed of protect ion a r e Juglacs r e g i a and Prunus avhm ( ~ a b l j 1987). B ~ t h spec ies a r e sca t t e red acd c o t e a s i l y protected by the c rea t ion of s p e c i a l reserves. Therefore, r e s t r t c t i o c s oc c u t t i c g and c l e a r i c g must be s t rocgly ecforced.

Hablj (1987) recommecded t h a t protect ion be givec t o t h e following:

- Calligocun aze l : a Saharac ' t r e e ' i n need o f protect ion from grazing - acd charcoal makhg; - Cyclamen persicwn: 6 very r a r e p lan t i c need of p ro tec t ion from being t ransplanted i n t o pots ; - Euphorbia decdroides: i n need of p ro tec t ioc a t Djebel Zaghouac; - P h y l l i t i s decdroides and P. scolopecdrium: r a r e f e r c s i n need of p r o t e c t i o c from being co l l ec ted f o r po t t i ag .

2 . 3 . 3 . Pro tec t ioc Ageccies

Cocservatioc of p lant resources is t h e r e s p o c s i b i l i t y of the Fores t ry Directora te ard the Di rec to ra te of the Ecvirocmert. The Nature P r o t e c t i o r Associatioc acd the c e t i o c a l Kac acd Biosphere (1 .1~~) committee o l so make r e c o n n ~ r d z t i o r x f o r ceedfd a c t i o c s . Research on p l a c t s of gece t i c value i s doce acd h e r b a ~ i m s have beec s t a r t e d by the agrocomy i n s t i t ~ t e s (INAT, ITEX" aed the Gecetic Resoorces Cecter of t h e I n s t i t u t e of S c i e n t i f i c Research (IGRST). A seed baed a t Ariaca ( ~ u c i s ) w i t h a f i e l d s t a t i o c a t Ka;ro;er i s c z r r e c t l y maictaiced f o r t h e prodoctioc acd s to rage of f o r e s t acd rzzge p l e c t seeds.

Xddit iocal p ro tec t ion could be givec t o r a r e p l a c t s and p l a c t s of gecet lc value by i e c r e a s j c g and improvicg t h e seed back acd c r e a t i n g a na t ioca l bo tac ica l gardec. Improvemect of the seed back i s iccluded a s pa r t of the I. 'atiocal A c t i - d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c S t ra tegy ( ~ i c . Agr. 1985). Botecical gardecs serve a s a gece back, research s i t e acd s t a t i o c f o r i c t r o d x i c g p l a c t s t o c o l t i v a t i o n ( ~ e p o o d 1987). These r o l e s a r e espec5elly valuable f o r crop r e l a t i v e s acd medicinal p lac t s . The I U C N has a Boteric Carders Cocservatioc S e c r e t a r i a t based a t i t s CMC a t Kew, Erglard. The S e c r e t a r i a t would be he lp fu l acd supportive of plans f o r a botaclcel gardec jr Tucisia.

2.4 FAUNA

Currently, about 75 s p e c i e s of mammals ( ~ n n e x 21, 350 spec ies of b i r d s ( ~ n n e x 3) and more than 500 s p e c i e s of herpes and f i s h occur i n Tunisia ( ~ i r . For. 1976). Exact f i g u r e s a r e d i f f i c u l t t o determire , s i n c e new s p e c i e s continue t o be discovered, o t h e r s a r e e x t i r p a t e d o r reintroduced, and taxonomic c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s change. A number of spec ies have been l o s t from t h e mammalian fauna of Tun i s ia and s e v e r a l o t h e r s a r e in danger.

2.4.1. Mammals

Over 7,000 yea rs ago, a change i n t h e c l ima te of Tunis ia r e s u l t e d i n the l o s s of many s p e c i e s of animals, inc lud ing rhinoceroes. Since t h a t time almost a l l e x t i r p a t i o n s of mammal s p e c i e s have been due t o hunting and h a b i t a t changes caused by man. Elephants Loxodocta a f r i c a c a still ex i s t ed during the Roman e r a and were recorded i n t h e 1 s t century A.D. (IUCN 1987) a t Bled Talah, near Bou Hedma. More recen t ly , i c the 18001s, t h e r e were s t i l l a wide v a r i e t y of ungula tes and l a r g e ca t s . Barbary l i o n s Pacthera l e o l e o l i v e d i n t h e Tunis ian Dorsal mouctain racge i n t h e 1850s '(Monchicourt 1906), but t h e l a s t one was sho t a t Babouch i n 1891 ( ~ i r . For. 1931 ). Only 34 yea rs l a t e r , t h e l a s t barbary leopard Panthera

~ a r d u s was k i l l e d (IUCN 1987) and by 1931 cheetahs Acinoryx jubatus were reduced t o a few i n the extreme south , which have s i n c e been el iminated.

Duricg the French occupation of T u ~ i s i a , ungula te populations were decimated by hunters . Although h a r t e b e a s t s Alcelaphus buselaphus were s t i l l abundant i n t h e south i n 1870, no v e r i f i e d r e p o r t s of t h e i r presence were recorded a f t e r 1931. Scimitar-horned oryx Oryx dammah and addax Addax nasomaculatus were uncommon, but s t i l l hunted i n the Sahara i n 1931. - Soon a f t e r , both s p e c i e s were decreased t o a few animals, thee e x t i r p a t e d .

The barbary dee r Cervus e laphus barbarus is t h e only n a t i v e spec ies of dee r i n a f r i c a . Large numbers of barbary dee r were hunted and k i l l e d (many by American s o l d i e r s dur ing WWII), but t h e i r s e c r e t i v e c a t a r e and mountain h a b i t a t protected smal l popula t ions u n t i l the 1950s. After the dee r became pro tec ted , they d i spe rsed back i n t o Tunis ia from Algeria (where they were still hunted) i n t h e 1960s. There a r e t h r e e barbary dee r reserves i n Tunis ia - E l F e i d j a , Ain Baccouch and Mhibes ( see Sect ion 5.4). The t o t a l dee r popula t ion of Tun i s ia i s now somewhere around 1,500.

Tun i s ia ' s t h r e e s p e c i e s of g a z e l l e s were decimated by hur t ing , poaching and h a b i t a t degradat ion, but were never completely ex t i rpa ted . Cuvier ' s gaze l l e s Gazella c u v i e r i were reduced t o a smal l number a t the southwest end of t h e Tunisian Dorsal mountain range, but once they were protected, a d d i t i o n a l animals immigrated from Algeria and re inhabi ted some of t h e i r former range. There i s a rese rve a t Kechem e l Kelb f o r Cuvier 's g a z e l l e s and many o t h e r s f i n d refuge i c Chambi N.P. ( s e c t i o n 3.4.3.1 1. Dorcas gaze l l e s ~ a z e l l a dorcas once inhab i t ed the p l a i n s of Kairouac, but they a r e cow r e s t r i c t e d t o the southern p l a i n s , where huct icg pressure i s compoucded by h a b i t a t l o s s t o d e s e r t i f i c a t i o n . Slender-horced gaze l l e s Gazella l ep toce ros a r e a b l i t o s u r v i v e t h e harsh c l i m a t i c cocdi t ions of

Othir animals of i n t e r e s t include r a r e o t t e r s Lutra l u t r a , which occur ir the lakes acd r i v e r s of nor the rc Tucis ia ; wild boar Sus sc rofa b a r b a n s , which a r e numerods nor th of t h e High Steppe and sparse i n the southerc mountaice; acd a shrew Suncus e t ruscus t h a t is sa id t o be the smal les t mammal i c the world.

the Sahara and d e s e r t i c steppes. Although probably never numerous, elender-horned gaze l l es became q u i t e r a r e i n the recent past . Currectly, eca t t e red populations have been inc reas ing i n number.

Whether on not buffa lo Bubalis buba l i s a r e t r u l y na t ive t o Tunisia i s uncer ta ic , but doubtful. However, i t i s believed t h a t there were buffa lo a t Ichkeul i n Carthaginian times and t h e r e were about 1,000 i n 1882 ( ~ 1 - Ghezal 1982). After uncontrolled hunting, only 3 buffa lo remained i n 1961. P ro tec t ion measures were taken and a reproduction program was s t a r t e d a t Dar Chichou t o inc rease the herd.

Aoudad hUm0tra~uS l e r v i a ( a l s o known a s barbary mountain eheep) were once foucd on almost a l l of t h e mountains of south-central Tunisia; e spec ia l ly Djebels Chambi, Selloum, Semmama, Bou Hedma, Berda, Oum A l i and Tebaga ( ~ a v a u d e c 1924). Hunting eliminated the aoudad from many of the mountaics, but small groups survived near Chambi, Bou Hedma, Tebaga, e t c . and once p ro tec t ioc was given, t h e slow process of reproduction and disperslor, begac. The r e c o l o ~ i z a t i o n of former range i s hampered by hucticg ard h a b i t a t degradation.

I f berbary hyeca Hyaeca hyaana barbara were not completely sl iminated from T . ~ c i s i e i c the pas t , t h e i r numbers were reduced t o very few animals. Dispersioc from hyeca populations i n Algeria s t a r t e d the populatioc of hyecas ic Tac i s ia increas ing. Today, hyenas a r e spreading north and eastward alocg the Tunisian Dorsal , High T e l l and High Steppe r e l a t i v e l y rapidly . the animals a r e becoming l o c a l l y numerous, e spec ia l ly i n the Kasserice regioc.

Nor-k s e a l s Mocachus mocachus were once found on Tunis ia ' s nor th coas t , Zembra i s l and acd Cap ~ o m h i e r 1978). Today, t h e only locat ion i n Tunisia where t h a t ecdangered mammal i s found i s the Ga l i t e archipelago ( ~ e c t i o c 3.2.1 1. An English expedi t ion i n 1978 found only 5 a d u l t s and one juvenile a t the archipelago ( ~ o s s e r 1978). Although the s e c r e t i v e ca tu re of the s e a l s may have r e s u l t e d i n an underestimation of the number, i t is not l i k e l y t h a t the re were more than 10 s e a l s a t t h a t time. The low numbar caused concerc t h a t t h e r e would be an u l t imate breeding col lapse due t o lack of genet ic d i v e r s i t y . A decrease i n s i g h t i n g s i n recent years has added t o the coccern f o r the s e a l s . Only one monk s e a l was observed a t Ga l i t e i n 1986 (IUCN 1987) and i t i s not l i k e l y t h a t the population w i l l recover on i t s om..

European r a b b i t s Oryctolams cuniculus o r ig ina ted i n North Africa and then spread i n t o West Europe. A North African subspecies 0. c. a 1 i r u s l i v e s on th ree of Tunis ia ' s archipelagos ( G a l i t e , Zembra, K u r i a i h i s poss ible t h a t the r a b b i t s may have been brought t o t h e i s l a n d s by Phoeniciacs (Gaul thier 1978) a s a food rese rve , o r they may have crossed land bridges from the mainland when the seas were lower during g l a c i a l periads. There a r e no r a b b i t s on t h e mainland today, s o t h i s North African ecdemic subspecies i s of s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t a s a genet ic resource.

A l l of the l a r g e mammals of Tunis ia a r e th rea tened , with the exception of the wild boar. The boar is a hardy animal t h a t is unwit t ingly protected by t h e I s l amic p r o h i b i t i o n on e a t i n g pork. Rare and endangered mammals l i s t e d f o r Tun i s ia i n t h e I U C N Red Data Book ( i n : Grant 1980) include t h e barbary hyena, barbary dee r , dorcas g a z e l l e , Cuvier 's g a z e l l e and slender-horned gaze l l e .

Severa l mammal subspecies a r e endemic t o North Afr ica ; these include r a b b i t s and t h e l a r g e r mammals, such a s barbary dee r , barbary hyena and (according t o some) t h e Ichkeul buffa lo . F u l l s p e c i e s of mammals endemic t o North Africa a r e a l l rodents and a r e noted i n Annex 2.

2.4.2. Birds

T u ~ i s i a ' s avian fauna inc ludes North Afr ican endemic (Moussier's r e d s t a r t ) acd sub-Saharan (black-headed bush s h r i k e ) spec ies a s we l l a s many t h a t a r e threatened throughout t h e i r range. Rare and endangered b i r d s l i s t e d i n the Red Data Book (IUCN 1985) t h a t occur i n Tunisia icc l i ld i :

White s t o r k Peregr ine Marbled t e a l Audouin ' s g u l l White-headed duck Red-necked n igh t j a r Red k i t e Houbara bustard White-tai led s e a eag le L i t t l e bustard Bearded v u l t u r e Slender-bi l led curlew

L i t t l e b ~ s t a r d s a r e l i s t e d because they once occurred i n nor thern Tunis ia , and s t i l l may, but t h e i r s t a t u s is uncer ta in . Ost r iches were e x t i r p a t e d from Tunis ia e a r l i e r t h i s century , but they have been reintroduced a t Bou Hedma Nat ional Park ( s e c t i o n 5.4.4). Gr i f fon v u l t u r e s , bearded v a l t u r e s and whi te - t a i l ed sea eag les were hunted i n t h e beginning of t h e cec tu ry and a r e now very r a r e l y seen i n Tunisia.

One of the most important s i t e s f o r migra t ing r a p t o r s and passer ine b i r d s i s the Cap Bon pecinsula . Cap Bon i s an i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y important bot t leneck a rea f o r migratory b i r d s i n t h e Mediterranean region r rim met 1987). Aboat 40,000 r a p t o r s of over 20 s p e c i e s r e s t a t Cap Bon before cross ing the Mediterranean s e a t o S i c i l y i n t h e sp r ing . The most common spec ies reported a r e honey buzzard, black k i t e , buzzard, marsh h a r r i e r , l e s s e r k e s t r e l and k e s t r e l . Many passe r ines a l s o r e s t a t Cap Bon before making the 150 km f l i g h t . Large numbers of sparrowhawks were formerly captured f o r use i n q u a i l hunt ing, but t h i s p r a c t i c e has been r e s t r i c t e d t o a very small number today.

Tucis ia a l s o has s i t e s of very high i n t e r n a t i o n a l importance f o r waterfowl acd waders. The most important s i t e s a r e Lake Ichkeul , the Gulf of Gabes and Sebkhet Kelbia , descr ibed i n Sec t ions 3.3.1.1, 3.l.4 and 3.3.2.4, r+spec t ive ly .

2.4.3. Hunticg

The Hsc t i cg Department ( S e r v i c e de l a ~ h a s s e ) of t h e Fores t ry D i r e c t o r a t e is r e s p o c s i b l e f o r t h e o r g a c i z a t i o c of h c c t i c g i c T i x i s j a . Th i s i c v o l v e s deterrnicing s p e c i e s t o be h ~ c t e d , d a t e s of opecicg acd c l o s i c g of s easocs , l o c a t i o c s where h u c t i c g is t o be allowed acd accep tab le h w t i n g methods and equipment. The F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e is a l s o r e spons ib l e f o r t h e ecforcemect of h ~ c t i n g r e g ~ l a t i o c s . H-ictj.cg c lubs a r e orgac ieed i c each gouvernora t , and mazy play an impor tant r o l e i c promoticg w i l d l i f e conse rva t ioc .

IL 1933, 11,076 h;lr.t icg l i c e c s e s were so ld and 590 me t r i c t o c s of game meat were p r o d ~ c e d ic a d d i t i o c t o t r o p h i e s . Th i s anoccted t o 1.2 m i l l i o c T ~ c i s i a c Dica r s , o r 10s of t h e t o t a l v a l s e o f f o r e s t r y r e l a t e d products harves ted . The amouct h a s docbled i c t h e fo l lowicg yea r s .

I.!ild boars a r e e s p e c i a l l y poplilar game wi th f o r e i e c h m t e r s . Other h ~ c t e d game i c c l ~ d e s :

3rovc ha re Alger lac hedgehog Barbbry p a r t r i d g e Q;;a i 1 Sacd gro>sse T ~ r t l e dove Stock dove Xmd Pigear.

Greylag goose P i c t a j 1 Shoveler E a l l a r d Wigeor Tea l Gargarey Pochard

Tlifted dsck !!oorhec Coot Uoodcock P love r s Lapwicg L s r k s Rock dove

2.4.4. Pauca P r o t e c t j o c

H ~ c t i c g r a r e a r d roc-game s p e c i e s is p r o h i b i t e d . To cocserve t h e r a r e acd ecdacgered f a ~ c a , 32 mammal s p e c i e s acd macy b i rd s p e c i e s were scbmit ted f o r i c c l c s i o c c c d e r t h e r e g ~ l e t i o c s s e t by the Cocvectioc o c I c t e r r a t i o c a l "ade of Zcdacgered Specj e s (CITES). There a r e a l s o nacy c z t j o ~ a l parks acd r e s e r v e s ( S e c t i o c 5.4) acd approxjmately oce - th i rd of t he COir.try i s c losed t o h s c t i c g each year.

The F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e , D i r e c t o r a t e of t h e Ecvirocmect , Tuc j s i an Matiire P r o t e c t i o c Assoc ia t ion (ATPIIE) and t h e c a t i o c a l o r c i t h o l o g i c a l a s s o c i a t i o ~ (AAO) a r e a l l involved i n c o c s e r v a t i o c a c t i v i t i e s ( s e e S e c t i o c 5.4) . The AAO was e s p e c i a l l y i c s t r c n e c t a l i n g a j c i c g p r o t e c t j o c f o r n i g r a t i c g r a p t o r s oc Cap Boc.

A cane wardec (earde-chasse) acd m e o r two a s s i s t a c t s is ass igced t o each g o ~ v e r c o r a t , b ~ t with t e r r i t o r i e s of c p t o 3 ,600,000 ha t h e i r e f f e c t j v e c e s s i s l i m i t e d . Add i t iona l s t a f f , c o m m ~ r l c a t i o c acd o b s e r v a t i ~ c eq5ipner.t ar.d t r a i c i c q a r e ceeded.

3. PRIMARY ECOSYSTENS OF TUFISIA

3.1. COASTAL ZONES

2 With 1200 km of c o a s t l i n e acd a s u r f a c e a r e a of 164,000 km , Tucis ia

has oce of t h e h i g h e s t coas t1ice:surface a rea r a t i o s i c A r i c a . A marine 3 zone t o a depth of 200 meters covers a c a rea of 77,300 km ( ~ c d r e c 1978). The. extensive l eng th of c o a s t l i c e ( f i g u r e 3) adds s i g n i f i c a c t l y t o t h e biologj.ca1 d i v e r s i t y s i n c e t h e r e i s a change i n t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c f l o r a and fauca of t h e c o a s t a l and marice ecosystems a s o re progresses form t h e humid rocky c o a s t s i n t h e nor th t o t h e shallow sandy c o a s t a l a r e a s ucder t h e i c f l s e c c e of t h e Sahara i c t h e south.

Coasta l wa te r s a r e inf luenced by t h e East acd West Medlterraceac bas ics en-0thmac 1973). Water i c t h e West Medjterraceac bas ic , which a f f e c t s the c o r t h c o a s t , i s o f t e e mixed with n i i t r i ec t r i c h water from t h e A t l a c t i c oceac, e s p e c i a l l y ic t h e wicter . The south coast i s more a f fec ted by the East Mediterranear b a s i c , which has s l i g h t l y warmer water with a h igher s a l t coc tec t .

The East acd West bas ics a r e ac t i i a l ly t h e deep offshore waters. Shallower waters c l o s e r t o shore a r e p a r t of t h e Sicslzlo-"njsiar bas ic o r S t r e e t of S i c i l y (Vac Dijk :986), which s t r e t c h e s from T ~ c i s j a t.o S i c i l y acd o r t o I t a l y , d i v i d i r g t h e East ard Mest Wedjterrareac bas ics .

A l t h o ~ g h A t l a n t i c t i d e s do not p e c e t r a t e f a r i c t o t h e deep waters of the !s!editerraceac, t h e weak t i d e s of t h e c u r r e c t t h a t flows through t h e S t r e e t of S i c i l y a r e amplif ied by t h e r i s i c g s e a f l o o r of the Pelagean sea and the Gslf of Gabes ( ~ a c Dijk 1986). Therefore , although the s t e e ~ l y s lopicg sea bottom of the c o r t h coas t r e s u l t s i n n e g l i g i b l e t i d e s , t h e shallow Gclf of Gabes has t i d a l amplitudes of up t o 2 meters.

The Tuc i s j ac c o a s t i s c l e a r e r thac macy o t h e r p a r t s of t h e Kediterreneac; r e v e r t h e l e s s , pol l i i t ioc i s a s e r i o u s problem a f f e c t i c g t h e marice f a x a acd f l o r a . ?.lost of Tucjs j .a ls i x d c s t r y i s located o r t h e coas t acd a c t i - p o l l s t i o c r e e c l a t i o c s a r e c o t ecforced s t r o c g l y ecoiigh t o prevect d ischarge of chemical wastes i n t o t h e sea .

I c the 1970s, off-shore d r i l l i c e r e s s l t e d jr e r average average of 300,000 t o e s of o i l r e l eased i n t o the sea ( ~ c d r e c acd Salem 1978). P r o d ~ c t i o n has decreased s i n c e t h e e , but p o l l u t i o c still occurs. Phosphate p l a c t s a t Sfax and Gabes r e l e a s e coctamicated water i n t h e sea . Some t rea tmect of wastewater i s done, but it is inadequate f o r the a rno~c t s produced.

Olive o i l acd soap process ing p l a n t s , cacner ies , cemect f a c t o r i e s , t a c n e r i e s , paper p l a c t s acd chemical i c d u s t r i e s a l l r e l e a s e waste products i n t o the sea . Other i n d ~ s t r i e s r e l e a s e l u b r i c a t 5 o c o i l , so lven t s , de te rgec t s , m e t a l l i c powders, heavy meta ls , a c i d compoucds, e t c . with t h e i r wastewater. Althoueh some i n d u s t r i e s a r e improving p o l l c t i o c c o c t r o l p r a c t i c e s , i n d u s t r i a l expacsSoc a locg t h e coas t i s r e s z l t i c g i n i cc rees icg t o t a l amounts of p o l l ~ t a c t s . Darmozl e t . 61. ( 1 9 8 ~ ) reported t h a t chen jca l i c d z s t r i a l wastes a t Gabes have cacsed have cs,sed d ive r se damage t o t h e marire ecvirocmect.

Figure 3

Coastal Zones

of Tunisia

/ LIBYA

1 . Coral Coast

2. Gulf of Tunis

3. Gulf of Hammamet

4. Gulf of Gabes

Urban wastes (sewage) a l s o a l t e r c o a s t a l ecosystems. V i r t u a l l y a l l of the major c i t i e s d ischarge a t l e a s t some un t rea ted sewage i n t o the sea , a s we l l a s l a r g e q u a n t i t i e s of p a r t i a l l y t r e a t e d wastewater. Runoff from a g r i c u l t u r a l l ands c a r r i e s chemical compounds such a s n i t rogen f e r t i l i z e r s and over 35 types of p e s t i c i d e s , inc luding: Malathion, Dieldr ine , Lindane and 2.4-D ( ~ n d r e n and Salem 1978). Chemical compounds a f f e c t the marine f l o r a and fauna and some can be passed on t h e t h e b i r d s , 'wild mammals and people t h a t e a t seafood.

I n a d d i t i o n t o chemical p o l l u t i o n , c o a s t a l a r e a s a r e e e n s i t i v e to :

Shorel ine development Shorel ine degradation: - Erosion due t o grazing, vege ta t ion removal, s o i l

d i s r u p t i o n

- Coral ha rves t ing

3.1 .1 . Coral Coast

The c o r t h c o a s t from Tabarka t o Bize r t e i s a l s o known a s the "Coral Coast". The Kroumirie/~ogod mountain ranges give the c o a s t l i n e i ts c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s t e e p s lopes , low c l i f f s and rocky shores , in terspersed with sandy beaches and c o a s t a l p l a i c s . Even where t h e mouctaic edges a r e under the s e a , the s l o p e s remain f a i r l y s t eep . The depth is g r e a t e r than 100 m wi th in 10 km of the shore a long almost t h e e n t i r e coas t . The con t inen ta l s h e l f i s narrow, o f t en with a rough s t e e p s lope and cu t with deep channels ( ~ z o u z 1975).

The Mediterranean sea moderates the ambient temperatures of the coas t . 0 Near Tabarka t h e average annual temperature is a t the 16 C isotherm.

0 Progressing e a s t , the average annual temperatuge i n c r e a s e s t o the 17 C isotherm near Cap Negro, and a t B i z e r t e t h e 18 C isotherm i s reached. Domicact winds a r e from the W-NW, b r inging moist a i r i n from the sea . Annual p r e c i p i t a t i o n decreases from a r a t e of > 900 mm annual ly t o 600 mm annually a s one progresses eastward along the Coral Coast. P r e c i p i t a t i o n p a t t e r n s appear t o be r e l a t e d more t o t h e presence of t h e mountain ranges than t o c o a s t a l i c f luences .

A. Vegetation

Coastal vege ta t ion types r e f l e c t those of t h e in land f o r e s t s , but t r e e s a r e o f t e n s tun ted , r e s u l t i n g i n v a s t c o a s t a l maquis. S a l t i n t o l e r a n t s p e c i e s , such a s a leppo pine Pinus ha lepens i s , a r e replaced by more t o l e r a n t spec ies ; however, t h e r e i s a s i z a b l e aleppo pine f o r e s t a t Ras e l Korac, aboat 15 km west of Bizer te .

Maqcis. Fron Tabarka t o Cap S e r r a t t h e c o a s t a l r i d g e s a r e o f t e c covered wj th Olea eurooaea - P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c c s ( r e f e r r e d t o a s Olea- - l e c t i s c s ) domirated maqiiis wi th va ry ing d e n s i t i e s of holm oak Ouercus i l e x . Cork oek C. suhe r erows b e t t e r i c d rye r a r d warmer c o c d i t i o c s , but - i t is o f t e c a compocect of t h e maquis, a s is zec oak Q; c a n a r i e c s i s , which grows i c c o o l r a v i n e s dowc t o t h e sea . Other comrnoc woody p l a c t s of t h e c o a s t a l maquis a r e :

Q i i e r c a cocc i f e r a Lavacdula a toechas C i s t u s r n o ~ s p e l i e c s i s Rosmaricus o f f i c j c a l l s Hyr t z s cornmixis Calycotome v i l l o s a E r i c a m u l t i f l o r a Rhamnus sp . Arbii t~is unedo Jcckpe rus phoecicea P h i l l y r e a a c g ~ s t i f 3 l i a media J. o x y c e d r ~ s

3,cts. Vast expacses nf nov:c< s ~ r d dsces have formed a l3cg t h e m r t h - coas t . n u r e format ioc i s a dyranSc p r x e s s whereby l a r c e a r e a s a r e covered wj th s a c d , t h e r r e v e g e t a t e acd a r e ofter. covered a g a l c over a period cf mar.!: yea r s . A t t h e n b i t h of Oiled :?elah, more t h e r :039 ha were covered by d x e s . The F n r e s t r y D j r e c t o r a t e s t a b l l i z e d 960 ha, l e a v i c g abo_t 80C ha. Vegetated d x i e s were p l ac t ed t o e - c a l y p t c s , a c a c t a , mar i t i ne p i r e P i c u s ina aster ar.d o t h e r t r e e s p e c i e s . The ~ c d e r g r o w t h t h a t icvaded c a t u r a l l y is very s i m i l a r t o t h e maqcis v e g e t a t i o ~ d r sc r ibed above, bc t r o t q c i t e a s decse . Also o c c c r r i c e a r e :

Retena morosperne hanophila e r e c a r i a

S c r o F ~ l a r i a sanbzci f o l t a C r n c i a c s l l a mar i t l na

O r t h s s t a b i l i z e d du res of Sao:iar ia , west. of O,chtata, t h e v e g e t a t i o c is charac ter i .zed by a conp le t e s eaue rce goicg from A . a r eea r i a t o kermes oek Csercus c o c c i f e r a , wi th some zcces d o n i r a t e d by Lotcs c r e t i c i i s , Retana -- mocosDerna, J ; c i p e r ~ s oxycedriis a rd 4, ohoecjcea . The s i t e has t h e l a r g e s t s t a c d s of k e r c e s 3ak i r ~ ; r i s j i m ard P e t e r k e r :969).

Watersheds. k locg the r a v i r e s acd s t reambeds t h e r e a r e a s s o c i a t i o c s -- c h a r a c t ~ r i z e d by J s c c ~ s sp. a rd o l eacde r 1Ierii;m o leacde r . Where t h e r e js r ~ c c i c g wa te r , c a t t a i l s Typha a c g u s t i f o l i a a r e o f t e n prese~t..

Rarshes. A t Cap S e r r a t t h e r e a r e f r e shwa te r c o a s t a l marshes s u r r o ~ c d e d by a rnaquis of Lavandula s t o e c h a s , Arbiitus ucedo and kermes oak. The marsh v e g e t a t j o r i c c l u d e s :

C l a d i m mariscus m . ~ e x r i o m s c o p l c i e d e s Carex pseudocj.perix Campar:;la a l a t a

Themeda t r i n c d r a Alcus g lu t5 ~ 3 s a Csmucda r e g a l i s

and nary r a r e ( ~ a d f a r d ard Pe te rkec 1963) acd X3rth Afr j ca r ecdenjc spec i e s , s ~ i c h a s T h ~ n e d o t r i a c d r n ard Ct-cista -1c5 c a .

?arSce f l c r a . \ 'ecetat5or. o r t h e car row, \;r.ever. coc t i r . sc ta1 s h e l f js ir.fli;er.ced by A t l a c t i c s z r f a c r v a t e r r i r t h e \ < i c t e r acd I.:edit.errarear waters IT. t h e s i c c e r (bzo-z 1375b). The he t e r9geceozs b3ttom zcd t h e

combination of s u r f a c e waters produce a very hjgh s p e c i e s d i v e r s i t y along t h e c o r t h coas t . Alocg t h e coas t , and e s p e c i a l l y i c t h e C a l j t e chaccel , the f l o r a 3ncll;de Arondo docax and R i c i m s commucis (IUCN 1987). Red -- algae s p e c i e s , such a s Chocd-ius c r i s p u s a r e commoc, a s wel l a s a rumber of greec seaweeds (ex. Udotea p e t i o l a t a s ) and Leptometra pha1ace;im 5,s presect . Progress ing seaward, t h e r e a r e C r i d a r i s f u c i c u l i n a p r a i r i e s on the high bottoms, which a r e replaced by I s i d e l l a i e t h e middle depths where t h e r e a r e l i g h t - s o i l e d bathysal b o w z o u z 1975b'.

Mammals. Racy of the mammals of t h e upland f o r e s t s a l s o range i n t o the c o a s t a l maquis and p la ins . Of s p e c i a l s j g n i f i c a c c e is the presence of o t t e r Lutra l u t r a s i g c a locg macy of t h e r i v e r s t h a t d r a i n i n t o the sea . Common mammals include: wild boar Sus Scrofa , j a c k a l Cacis aiireiis, red -- fox V ~ l p e s vulpes, Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon ar.d brow. hare Lepus capecs is . A v a r i e t y of roden t s a l s o l i v e along the coas t .

Birds. Althozgh t h e d i v e r s i t y of shoreb i rds acd waterfowl i s not - near ly a s g r e a t a s i t is i n t h e i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s of t h e sos thern coas t , the d i v e r s i t y of uplacd c o a s t a l h a b i t a t s r e s u l t s i n a f a i r spec ies r i chness f o r the b i r d s of t h e Coral Coast. A sample of the bird spec ies i rc l i ides those l i s t e d f o r t h e C a l i t e archipelago ( ~ e c t j o c 3.2.: ), ard :

Biizzard S a r d i c i a c warbler Long-le~ged biizzard Dartford warbler 3arsh h a r r j e r N j g h t i n e a l e Barbary p a r t r i d g e Blackbird Palm dove Black-eared wheatear Eee-eater Spotted f l y c a t c h e r Eulbiil Chaff inch Great t i t

Marine Fauna. F!i.ch b i o l o g i c a l d j v e r s i t y i s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e cor th c o a s t a l waters , e s p e c i a l l y aroucd t h e G a l i t e archipelago. Red c o r a l C o r a l l i m r ~ b r u n forms macy r e e f s and t h e r e a r e a varSety of molliiscs, f i s h acd ever s ~ j c y l o b s t e r P a l j c u r u s elaphas. Fish s p e c i e s reported by Cao l th ie r (1 978) iccli ide:

Page l lus pagel los Boops s a l p a Cornica c i g r a Serranus s c r i b a Karaena helena

Moroce l ab rax Labrus b j maculatiis Diplodus sa rgus Mullus surmuletiis

C. I c f luences Crazing is f a i r l y heavy a long most of the coas t . The e f f e c t s of the

grazing a r e a s h i f t i n s p e c i e s composjtion t o l e s s p a l a t a b l e spec ies , decreased v e g e t a t i o c cover and increased e ros ion . Craz i rg animals may a l s o d i s t i r b b i r d s dl;ricg t h e c e s t i c g season and l i n j t the e f f e c t i v e range of some s p e c i e s of mamnals.

Ic t h e maquis, Hyr tus cornnucis acd rosemary Rosmaricus o f f i c i c a l i s bracches a r e ha rves t ed f o r t h e d i s t i l l a t i o c of o i l s acd f r ag racces . Large q ~ a c t i t i e s o f t h e p l a c t s a r e c u t , wbich a l t e r s t h e s p e c i e s c o n p o s j t i o c a i d decreases v e g e t a t i o c cover .

Spec i e s c o n p o s i t i o c was a l s o a l t e r e d by r e f o r e s t a t i o c work dore by t h e Fo re s t ry D i r e c t o r a t e . Large a r e a s have been p l an t ed t o p i c e , euca lyp tus and acac i a . Ei icalyptus p l a c t a t i o n s have ac e s p e c i a l l y s i g r i f i c a c t 5.r-fluerce o c s p e c i e s composi t ioc s i c c e a l l e l o p a t h i c conpoucds produced by t h e t r e e s r e s t r i c t t h e growth o f o t h e r s p e c i e s acd o f t e c v i r t u a l l y e l i m i c a t e t h e lower v e g e t a t i o n s t r a t a .

Small a g r i c n l t u r a l p l o t s a r e developed a l o c g p a r t of t h e c o a s t - co tab ly a t Cap S e r r a t a c d S j d j Nechree. There a r e a l s o s e v e r a l v i l l a g e s a locg t h e c o a s t .

3.1.2. C ~ l f o f T u ~ i s : E i z e r t e t o E l Haouaria ( c a p b r )

The c o a s t f r o n R i z e r t e t o Raf Raf ( P o r t n ~ a r i c a ! i s a t r a c s j t j o c from the rocky s h o r e s s r d s t€€? s l o y i c g bg t tons o f t h c Coral Coast t o t h e s h 6 l l a v e r w a t e r s acd h ighe r pe rcec t ace of s acdy beaches i c t h e Ccl f of T m i s . Fron P6f Raf t~ S o l i n a r t h e c o a s t l i r e 5s f a i r l y 1 ~ u acd f l a t w i t h macy c o a s t e l p l a l c s ecd a c e s t i e r y a t t h e mccth of Oied Xedjerda. A t Kocrbo,~ acd a g a j c a t E l Yao;aria t h e s h o r e s a r e s t e e p acd rocky dlie t o t h e e x t e c s j ~ c of t h e Y i c j s i a c 9 o r s a l moucta ic r a r g e t h racgh Cap Eoc.

I c s j d e a l i c e f r a n B i z e r t e t o F1 Hao,aria t h e a r e a of t h e s e a deeper t h a ~ :OC n i s r e l a t i v e l y sma l l . S a l l r i t y i c t h e Gjilf of Tiicjs averages 37 ppt a r d water t e n p e r a t i r e s average 17' C (Flee-0thmac 1973). Shallow water acd t h e s h e l t e r ~ c g e f f e c t s o f t h e bay forned by t h e Cap Boc p e c i c s u l a , g r e a t l y a f f e c t t h e p h y s i c a l a ~ d b S o l o ~ i c a l conpoce r t s o f t he c o a s t .

Year a c e ~ a l t e r n p ~ r a t i i r e s f ron B i z e r t e t o T ~ c j s a r e s l i g h t l y h ighe r 6 t h a r :8 C. Fron Ti;cj.s t o E l H a o ~ a r i a t h e moiictairs of Cap 3oc r e s c l t i c

0 a s l i g h t d r o p i c ave rage ternperat . i res , biit t hey a r e s t i l l c e e r :8 C. The average acc i ia l p r e c i p i t a t i o r r a t e drops from 600 m a t B i z e r t e t o 500 a t Ref Raf, t h e e t o dCO - 500 nun fror. Tuc i s t o Korboiis. Betweec Korbous ard E l Yaoiiaris t h e a c r ~ a l p r e c i p i t a t j o ~ i s iccreased by t h e n~crtajc i c f l i i e cce t o 500 - 700 mm.

Ocly o r e o c t o f f i v e days i s calm i n Tuc i s . Domicact wicds a r e from t h e w-nil, bu t e a s t wicds a r e a l s o very common and lacd-sea breezes a r e r e g , l a r . The b i o c l i m a t e i s Subhemid, ho t w i c t e r v a r i a r t . Ocly 15 kn i c l a c d t h e b i o c l i m a t e chacges t o Sen i - a r id S u p e r j o r .

k c h o f t h e iiplacd from B i z e r t e t o Raf Ref i s c > i l t j v a t e d . There i s a l a r g e p l a c t a t j o c ( c .3 ,000 ha ) o f njxed t r e e s p e c i e s bo rde r i cg over 10 km of coest1ir.e bc tw~er . 3 z e r t e acd Cap Zebjb. A t Cap %bib t h e n o , r t a k s meet s e a , r e s i i l t i c e i c a r e a s o f rocky, eroded s n r d s t o c e c o a s t l j c e i c t e r s p e r s e d an9r.g t h e s a r d y beaches. Tide1 p ~ o l s w i t h a v a r i e t y of f a m a acd f l o r a a r e comnor. i c t h e rocky h reas .

Raf Raf is highly c u l t i v a t e d , except t h e t i p of t h e point and t h e h igher r idges. On uncu l t iva ted land t h e r e is a degraded f o r e s t of carob

and wild o l i v e europaea o l e a s t e r and a spontaneous of aleppo pine P inus halepensis . This is a l s o t h e only

l o c a t i o c i n Tunis ia where t h e r a r e P inus microphylla grows a ad ford and Peterken 1979).

South of Ghar e l Melh and extending t o Cap Gammarth is t h e Medjerda d e l t a ; the only extensive l i t t o r a l p l a i n i n nor the rn Tunisia en-0thman 1973). The l i t t o r a l p l a i n extends about 10 km inland and reaches almost 20 km inland near Oued Medjerda. Much of t h e h igher land of t h e Oued Medjerda f loodp la in has been c u l t i v a t e d . Uncult ivated land is vegetated t o p l a n t s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of ha loph i l e a s s o c i a t i o n s ( s e e Sect ion 3.3.2), inc ludicg:

Suaeda sp. Halocnemum sp. Arthrocnemum sp. Cynodon dac ty loc Limonium sp. Atr ip lex sp.

From Gammarth t o Soliman much of t h e coas t i s low with sandy shores o r t h e r e is a sandy f r i n g e where t h e h i l l s reach t h e sea. Upland a r e a s were o r i g i c a l l y vegetated t o Olea - l en t i scus formations, but now most of t h e land i s c u l t i v a t e d o r developed.

Near Solimac, 30 km e a s t of Tunis , is a shallow c o a s t a l marsh. About 40 ha of w s t marsh a r e separa ted from some dry marsh land by a r a i sed d i r t road (Fiorgan 1982). Rucoff and ground water supply t h e marsh with s l i g h t l y s a l t y water (4-5 g / l ) . The marsh v a r i e s i n s i z e from year t o year and d r i e s out i c excep t iona l ly dry years . Morgan (1982) reported a 40% vegeta t ion cover of Sc i rpus marit imus and a ca rpe t of Characeae on 90% of the bottom. Other p l a n t s include:

Polygonum amphibium Ranunculus sp. Phragmites communis Eleochar is sp.

North of Solimac, a t Korbous, t h e c o a s t i s s t e e p and mountainous. Sandstoce s l o p s s soa th of Korbous a r e covered by open maquis with s e v e r a l spec ies c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of h o t t e r southern loca t ions . Dominact and r a r e spec ies include:

Quercus cocc i fe ra Chamaerops humil is Olea europaea Retama monosperma P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s Jun ipe rus phoenecia Calycotome v i l l o s a Epedra a l a t a Rosmaricus o f f i c i n a l i s L i n a r i a cossoni ( ~ u n i s i a endemic)

Along t h e coas t of Cap Bon t h e climax vege ta t ion spec ies is kermes oak, which usua l ly grows i c bush form i n va r ious a s s o c i a t i o n s depending on t h e c l imate and soil (ORSTON 1962). On t h e c o a s t a l dunes ~mmophila a r e n a r i a and Imperata c y l i n d r i c a a r e a ssoc ia ted with:

Caki ls maritima Mathiola t r i c u s p i d a t a Crucianel la maritima Eryngiam maritimum Paccratum maritimum

which succeed to :

Lotus c r e t i c u s Juniperus oxycedrus Cutandia d i v a r i c a t a J. phoenicea

Dunes with ca lcareous c r u s t s formed by s e a s h e l l d e b r i s a r e vegetated to :

Thymus c a p i t a t u s Helianthemum racenosum Hypparhenia h i r t a Elychryeum s toechas Aster iscus mar i t inus Ebenus pinata Fumara thymifol ia

Where juniper has s t a b i l i z e d t h e dunes and enriched the s o i l with humus, c h a r a c t e r i s t i c spec ies a r e :

P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s Smilax aspera Asparagus a c u t i f o l i u s A r u m i t a l i cum Geracium robertianum s s p purpureum Prasium ma jus

Between the dunes, wh5re the water t a b l e is c l o s e s t t o the surface , Myrtus commucis ard hygrophile p l a n t s a r e favored, such as :

Carex d i v i s a Lotus cornicula tus Galiun a p a r i ~ e Plantago c r a s s i f o l i a

Or the windiest p a r t s of the c o a s t grow a s s o c i a t i o n s of:

Qaerzas cocci f5ra S i l e n e g a l l i c a Halimium halimifolium L i n a r i a heterophylla Lavandala s toechas Brachypodium distachyum Juciperus phoecicea F i l ago g a l l i c a J . oxycedrus RosmarTnus o f f i c i n a l i s C i s tus s a l v i i f o l i u s Thymus c a p i t a t u s

The coas t from Ras e l F a r t a s s t o E l Haouaria i s a mosaic of kermes oak o r jucip5r maquis with the previously mentioned assoc ia t ions . Near S i d i Daoud a mixed p l a n t a t i o ~ dominated by a lsppo pine s t r e t c h e s from the sea t o the o ther s i d e of the p e n i c s ~ l a by Dar Chichou. Olea-lentiscus assoc ia t ions arg domicant a t the po in t of Rass e l Ahmar and over much of Cap Bon.

Marine Flora . The f l o r a o f t h e i n f r a l i t t o r a l zone on rocky substratum of the Gulf of Tunis is composed mainly of 3 types of a lgae ( ~ n a n e 1977):

Phaeophycaeae (brown a lnae ) Cystosei ra s t r i c t a Dictyota dichotoma C. a b r o t a n i f o l i s Dilophus f a s c i o l a C. o p m t o i d e s Polysiphona subu l i f e ra Padica pavona

Chlorophyceae (gresc a lgae ) Acetabslar ia mediterranea Dasycladus clavaeformis Anadyomene o s r l l a t a Halimeda tuca Codiam bursa

Rhodophyceae ( r ed a l g a e ) Laurenc ia obtusa Phy l lophora cervosa Peyssocne l i a squarmis Aglaothomnfum t r i p i cna tum P. polymorpha V i d a l i a v o l u b i l i s P. r d b i a C r o d e l i a e x p a ~ s a

B. Fauna

Mammals t h a t use t h e c o a s t a l a r e a s i n and around t h e Gulf of Tunis a r e j a c k a l , f o x , k a f f i r c a t P e l i s s y l v e s t r i s l i b y c a , Egypt ian mongoose and s e v e r a l s p e c i e s of rodec ts . B i r d s a l o c g t h e c o a s t a r e much more va r i ed t h a c t h e mammals. Waterfowl acd waders i n c l u d e :

Grey he roc Avocet Black- ta i led godwit t x Karbled t e s l Spot ted redshack Herr ing g u l l

i 'a l lard Redshack S l ende r -b i l l ed g u l l c Coot Greecshack Medi te r raceac g u l l c ?:oozher. Kect i sh p l o v e r Rlack t e r n

Gl3ssy i b i s Ccrlew s a n d p i p e r L i t t l e t e r n L i t t l e e g r e t

N a r i r e Fazca. Ra r ine f auca t h a t occu r a roucd t h e Zembra a r c h i p e l a g o ace : 977 ) i r c l z d e :

Flolluscs: Aplys ia f a s c i a t a Dectalium v u l g a r i e Arca ba rba t a Avicnla h i rucdo h l l a s t r i c t a Cardiam sp. Ce r i t h i am vulgatum Chlamys f l e x ~ o s a C. operc-dar i s C a r d i t a c a l y c d a Chlamys vav ia C laccu lus j u s i e c i

D. i naequ icos t a tum F i s s u r e l l a g raeca Fusus sy racusacus F. r o s t r a t u s Gibbala c i n e r a r i a Murex b r a c d i a r i s M. t r u c c u l u s Nat ica j o s e p h i r a N. m i l l i p u c c t a t a Iiucula nuc l eus

Crus taceacs : Ca rc i cus maexas Maia ve r rucosa Dorippe l a n a t a Palaemoc s e r v i a t u s I d o t e a h e c t i c a P. s q u i l l a I l i a nuc l eus

Echicoderms: As t ropec t ec j o h n s t o c i E c h i c a s t e r s e p i s o t u s A . bi s p i c o s i s Holo thur i s sp. Axtedcc mediterraceam Hace l i a a t t e n u a t e

C r i d e r i a : A l c y o r i m a c a z l e Parcarnaricea e l a v a t a A. palrnetiim Pecca t i i la phosphorea A. c o r a l l o i d e s

Nassa m u t a b i l i s N. l i m i t a N. c o s t u l a t a N . r e t i c u l a t a Octopcs v d g a r i s Os t r ea e d u l i s Oxycos o l i v a c e a P e c t e c jacobeus P i s a c i s maculosa Sep ia o f f i c i c a l i s V e c e r ~ p i s a u r e u s

Pagurus c a l i d u s P a g u r i s t e s o c u l a t u s S t i chopus r e g a l i s

Ophiuna t e x t u r a t a S t y l o c i d a r i s a f f i c i s

P t e r o i d e s g ~ i s e a m Vere t i l l um cyr.ornorium

Sponges: Axj tells demico rc i s A. ve r rucosa

F ish : Boops boops Poops s a l p a B l e c c i ~ m s p Cocger conger C r e c i l e b r a s pavo Diplodus a n c u l a r i D a s y a t i s p a s t i r a c a Dectex den tex J ~ l 5 . i ; ~ sp .

C. Icfl . . iecces

Fos t of t h e c o a s t from

Hippocampues g u t t u l a t u s Cr i s tocapo a r g e c t a t u s L a b r ~ s sp. Myl ioba t i s aqc i l a Hureca ha l eca Mul lcs swimelutus Mugil sp . P e c a e m ke ra t h u r i a P a g e l l u s morymss S iphrocos tona rocde1at . i

Scorpaeca porcus S. s c r o f a S e r r a c u s s c r i b a S. c a b r i l l a Sparus a i i ra ta Solea s o l e a Syr.gcatus sp . Raia sp. Torpedo ocii1at.a Uranoscopus s cabe r

B j z e r t e t o E l l iaouarja has beee developed . R e s t d e c t i a l developmect n e a r B i z e r t e acd T izSs acd t o ~ r j s n developnec t ( h o t e l s , r e s t a ~ r a c t s , macaged beaches) c e a r t h e major c i t i e s has permacert ly c h a c ~ e d n2ch of t h e c o a s t ~ l h a b i t a t . Ic a d d i t i o c t o coc t inued acd i c c r e a s i c g c o c s t r ~ c t i o c a l o c g t h e c o a s t , l a r g e cumbers of r e s i d e c t s acd t o ~ r i s t s produce g r e a t q u a c t i t i e s o f sewage acd o t h e r waste t h a t o f t e c ecds ;p 1r t h e s e a a r d o r t h e sho re .

F i sh i cg h a s a f f e c t e d many s p e c i e s i c the Gs l f of %cis. Sca re (1977) descr ibed 3 d i s t i c c t b j o t o p e s i n t h e marjee zoce of t h e Zembra a r ch ipe l ago . Each zoce c o c t a i n s a c a b ~ c d a c c e o f f auca acd f l o r a , i c c l a d i r g some s p e c i e s t h a t have become r a r e j c t h e r e s t of t h e G ~ l f of Tec is . T h i s r i c h n a r i c e d i v e r s j t y i s i m p a r t a ~ t i c a n ove r f i shed r e g j o c aca t h e s i t e i s of i n t e r c a t i o c a l importacce.

3.:.3. Gulf of Hammamet: E l F a o ~ a r i a t o Chebba a ass ~ a b o z d i a )

A l t h o ~ g h t h e c o a s t l i c e is f a i r l y rocky aad h i l l y c e a r E l Hao:iaria and k o c a s t i r , most of t h e Cul f of Hamnamet js c h a r a c t e r i z e d by sandy beaches acd f l a t c o a s t 8 1 p l a i t s . Duces f r e q u e c t l y form j.r t h e l i t t o r a l cordor., but v a s t expacses o f i c l a n d m i g r a t i n g dunes, such a s t hose a l o c g t h e n o r t h coas t , a r e no t e v i d e c t .

The l i t t o r a l cordoc o f duces o f t e c forms a b a r r i e r t h a t s lows r u c o f f water from f lowicg d i r e c t l y i n t o t h e sea . Racked-up water fcrms locg bacds of b r a c k i s h s e h k h e t s ( s a l t l a k e s ) a l o c g t h e c o a s t . Sebkhet S i d i Khtilifa acd Sebkhet Halk e l Meczel s t r e t c h f o r 37 km, from Bo;; Fjcha t o S i d i 93- A l i , a l o c g t h e i c l a c d s i d e of t h e l i t t o r a l du re s .

S3;;th of El fioiiarja, t ,he c o a s t l i r e i s p e r p e n d i c ~ l a r t o t h e predoni.cact wes ter ly acd e a s t e r l y wicds. The P e s t K e d i t e r r a c e a c i c f l u e c c e i c t h e S i c ~ l c l o - T ~ c i s i a r b a s i c d e c r e a s e s ir t h e Culf of Hamnacet acd Scflner-ces of t he S i c i l i e r . l!j gh B a s i c acd t h e Eas t 14edi t e r r a c e a c i n c r e a s e (see-0thnar: 1973). Proceedjcg ~ 0 2 t h f r o n Cap 90c, t h e w a t e r becomes warmer acd she l love r . A t t h e n i d - p o i c t o f t h e CiAf of Hammanet c o a s t , c e a r Ycfjda, t he water i s l e s s t h e e 700 m deep f o r ove r 65 kn f r o n sho re .

Mean annuah temperatures along t h i s s e c t i o n of c o a s t a r e s l i g h t l y higher than 18 C. Mean annual p r e c i p i t a t i o n nor th of Menzel Temime, on Cap Bon, is about 500 mm. From Menzel Temime t o Enfida annual r a i n f a l l averages 400 - 500 mm; between Enfida and Mahdia t h e r a t e decreases t o 300 - 400 mm and south of Mahdia i t i e l e s s than 300 mm. The bioclimate is Semi-arid Super io r from Kel ib ia t o Nabeul, wi th w i n t e r v a r i a n t s of hot t o mild. A t Hammamet the bioclimate is Semi-arid, ho t wknter v a r i a n t , and south of enf ida t h e b iocl imate i s Semi-arid I n f e r i o r , mild win te r va r i an t .

A. Vegetation Vegetation a s s o c i a t i o n s south of E l Haouaria a r e no t a s d ive r se a s

those t o the nor th . From E l Haouaria t o Dar Chichou t h e climax vegeta t ion type is kermes oak ( s e e Sect ion 3.1.2). South o f t h e oak maquis the climax vege ta t ion i s Olea- lent iscus formations u n t i l Hammamet, then thuya C a l l i t r i s a r t i c u l a t a u n t i l Enfida, followed by the Low Steppes. Most of -- the vegeta t ion i s not a t the climax s t age and many o f t h e assoc ia t ions cur ren t ly found on t h i s s e c t i o n of the coas t a r e charac te r i zed by:

Artemisia herba a lba Asarum vulgare S t i p a p a r v i f l o r a (sub-associa t ion) Solanum sodomaeum ( v a r i a n t )

with many types of mosaics ind ica ted by:

Zizyphus l o t u s

and Heliacthemum l i p p i i Echiochi lon fruticosum H. racemosum A t r a c t y l i s s e r r a t u l o i d e s Lygeum spartum Lavandula m u l t i f i d a Phlomis f loccosa

o r Cynodon Artemis ia campest r is

Another a s s o c i a t i o n is ind ica ted by:

Corynephorus a r t i c u l a t u s Lupinus h i r s u t u s

and the re i s a vege ta t ion group ind ica ted by:

Spergula d iandra Solanum sodomaeum Scolymus hispanicus

A common a s s o c i a t i o n along the Gulf of Hammamet and t h e Gulf of Gabes i s the l i t t o r a l sand group ind ica ted by:

Ammophila a r e n a r i a Agropyrum junceum

Caki le maritima Medicago marina .

Two importact a s s o c i a t i o n s t h a t occur along t h e e n t i r e c o a s t acd i c the steppes a r e found on s a l i n e s o i l s , e s p e c i a l l y around sebkhets . The f i r s t a s soc ia t ion c o n s i s t s of s l i g h t l y t o moderately h a l o p h i l e p l a c t s , i cc lud ing severa l spec ies each of

Suaeda S a l s o l a

Frankenia Limocium

At r ip lex

and t h e second a s s o c i a t i o n is composed o f moderately t o s t rong ly h a l o p h i l e spec ie s , i c c l u d i n g

S a l i c o r n i a ( s e v e r a l s p ) Halocnemwn etrobilaceum Arthrocnemum indicum Ha lopep l i s amplexicaul i s

.Marine Flora . The marine f l o r a of t h e Gulf of Hammamet is cha rac te r i zed by eome o f t h e same a l g a e s p e c i e s as a r e found i n t h e Gulf of Tunis ( s e c t i o n 3.1.2) , but t h e o v e r a l l s p e c i e s composition is c l o s e r t o t h a t of t h e Gulf of Cabes ( s e c t i o n 3.1.4).

B. Fauna Mammals. J a c k a l s , red fox and Egyptian mongoose prey on' brown ha re

Alger iac hedgehogs Er inaceus a l g i r u s and sma l l roden t s , such a s jerboa Jacu lus o r i e c t a l i s and t h e North Afr ican endemics Shaw's j i r d Meriones shawi an-erbillus campes t r i s ( ~ e r n a r d 1969). A t Cap Bon wild - boar s occas iona l ly venture from t h e h i l l s i n t o c o a s t a l a r e a s , but i t i s not t h e i r primary h a b i t a t .

Birds. Duricg migra t ioc pe r iods thousands of shorab i rds r e s t on t h e shoras a ~ d i n t h e sebkhets a long t h e Gulf of Hammamet. Most of the s p e c i e s t h a t v i s i t t h e r e s t of t h e Tunis ian c o a s t a l s o s t o p between E l Haouaria and Rass Kaboudia. During t h e summer, t h e number of b i r d s and s p e c i e s i s g r 6 a t l y reduced; however, i n J u l y of 1987 t h e fol lowing s p e c i e s were commor. o r ware b e g i m i n g t o a r r i v e i n t h e a r e a :

Gannet Grey heror. L i t t l e 5 g r e t Flamicgo Shelduck Oys te rca tche r Avocet Black-winged s t i l t Ringed p love r Kect i sh p lover L i t t l e s t i n t

Temminck' s s t i n t L i t t l e r icged p love r Commoc sandp ipe r Curlew sandp ipe r Spot ted redshank Redshank Greenshank Black- t a i l ed godwit S lende r -b i l l ed g u l l L i t t l e g u l l Herring g a l l

Mediterranean g u l l Caspian t e r n L i t t l e t e r n Black t e r n Palm dove Hoopoe Collared p r a t i n c o l e Swallow Great grey s h r i k e Fan-tai led warbler

C. I n f luences

Thousands of people go t o t h e beaches d a i l y du r ing the eummer; e s p e c i a l l y nea r Nabeul, Hammamet and Sousse. Large a r e a s of c o a s t l i n e have been developed f o r tour ism ( h o t e l s , managed beaches) and o t h e r a r e a s have been degraded by heavy p e d e s t r i a n and v e h i c l e t r a f f i c . Hunting and poaching occurs i n the c o a s t a l s ebkhe t s and c u l t i v a t i o n has broken up many of t h e ha loph i l e zoces. The Gulf o f Hammamet is f i s h e d by i n d i v i d u a l and commercial opera t o r s . Over f i sh icg and p o l l u t i o n a r e a f f e c t i n g t h e s i z e , q u a n t i t y acd q u a l i t y of t h e ca tch .

3.1.4. Culf o f Cabes: Rass Kaboudia t o t he Libyan border

The majority of t he coas t l i ne south of Rass Kaboudia forms the Culf of Cabes. The c o a s t l i n e of the gulf cons i s t s of narrow, shallow, muddy i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s o r sandy beaches. From Ras Kaboudia t o approximately 5 km south, near Amra ( ~ r i b a ) , the shore l ine is s t e e p enough t o prevent l a rge a reas from being exposed durkng low t i de s . The shore l ine soon l eve l s 'out and most of the rest of the coas t l i ne t o Jerba (except 25 km near Cabes, p a r t s of Caraet bou Crara, E l Kantra t o Zare i s and Rass ~ d j k r ) is typ i f ied 'by i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s . Large expanses occupy more than 25,000 ha, of which c.14,600 ha i s s i t ua t ed a t Kneiss (van Dijk 1986).

Dunes cover much of t h e shore inland of the i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s and beaches, except a t t he gypsous c l i f f s of Tar-el-Jorf and Bou Crara and t h e calcareous c l i f f s of Ras Maamour t o Zarzis en-0thman 1973). Ins ide t he l i t t o r a l dunes, long narrow aebkhets of ten form, such a s sebkhet Dreiaa, south of Skhira.

F l a t coa s t a l p l a i n s subside very gradually i n t o t he sea . A t some points the water i s l e s s than 50 m deep f o r more than 100 km from shore, and a t no point is t he water over 100 m deep within 100 km from shore. The f l a t she l f is so extensive t h a t t h e -200 m i sobathe i s 250 km from shore en-0thman 1973). The shallow water ampli f ies the weak t i d a l inf luences of t he A t l an t i c ocean and r e s u l t s i n t i d a l amplitudes of up t o 2 m i n the Gulf of Gabes (Van D i j k 1986). Surface cu r r en t s cons i s t of water with a cons tan t temperature (14 - 15' C) and r e l a t i v e l y low s a l i n i t y (37.3 - 37.9 ppm) throughout the year (Van Dijk 1986). Near the shore, the shallower waters a r e usual ly warmer (c.19.5' C ) and s a l t i e r (38 ppm).

The s ab t rop i ca l Saharan inf luence i s much s t ronger a t the Culf of Gabes thac along t he coas t t o t he north. Temperatures remain mostly betweec 20 - 30 C from May t o August and the average year ly p r ec ip i t a t i on is l e s s thac 200 mm, most of which f a l l s between September and March. Sirocco w i c d s occur aboat 35 days per summer, and rap id ly dess ica tes the vegetat ioc . Bioclimates range from Semi-arid I n f e r i o r by Rass Kaboudia, t o A r i d Super ior by Sfax and Arid I n f e r i o r south of Sfax. Due t o the sea , bioclimates a r e a l l of the m i l d winter va r ian t .

A. Vegetation

Lowland ha lophi le vegetat ion and vegetat ion found on l i t t o r a l sands a r e s imi la r t o t h a t of corresponding a r ea s nor th of Rass Kaboudia ( see Section 3 . 1 . 3 ~ ) . However, the vegetat ion found on higher , l e s s s a l i n e ground d i f f e r s s i g n i f i c a n t l y from t h a t on t he coast t o the north. There a re e s s e n t i a l l y no f o r e s t o r maquis assoc ia t ions along t h i s sec t ion of coast , but t he r e a r e some oa s i s ( s ee Section 3.7). Climax vegetat ion types a r e those c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of secondary s teppes of low p la ins and Subdesertic L i t t o r a l Steppes. The ac tua l assoc ia t ions present a r e those typ ica l of degraded lands (Le Houerou and Fromect 1969).

North.of Sfax the vegeta t ion a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e ueual ly dominated by halophi le groups and :

Artemisia herba a l b a Zizyphus l o t u s (sub/assn .) Asparagus a lbus A t r a c t y l i e se r ra tu lo ides "

o r a group of

Tr igonel la anguina Lygeum spartum

Solanum sodomaeum (var ian t )

South of Sfax t h e halophi le groups a r e in te r spersed with assoc ia t ions of:

Pi turanthos to r tuosa Erodium glaucophyllum ( d a ) Halophyllum vermicular i re

and

Rhantherium suaveolens Lygeum spartum ( ~ / 8 ) Artemisia campestris A t r a c t y l i s s e r r a t u l o i d a s "

South of Kceiss the vegeta t ion i s joined by an a s s o c i a t i o n of:

Zygophyllum album Anarrhinum brevifolium

acd a gypso-halophilo assoc ia t ion of :

N i t r a r i a re tusa Suaeda vermiculata Sa l so la s i e b e r i var . v e s c e r i t e n s i s

On the Zarzis peninsula i s an assoc ia t ion of

Artemisia herba a lba Gymnocarpos decander (sub.) Arthrophytum scoparium

I n t e r t i d a l mudflats a r e o f ten covered by dense Zostera n o l t i (van Di jk 1986), and c e a r Mahares sea l e t t u c e sp. grows on the sea bottom. Close t o the shore a t Kneiss, Spar t ina sp. and Halocnemum strobilaceum grow. Where inundation is l e s s f requent and of s h o r t e r durat ion Halimone por tu laco ides , Limonium cf. , . Limoniastrum rnonope talum and Suaeda sp. appear. On the shore and small dunes Arthrocnemum cf . fruticosum, perene, Zygophyllum album, Thmelaea h i r s u t a and Haloxylon ar t icula tum replace the more s a l t t o l e r a n t species.

Marine Flora. Near Kerkennah i s l and a t the nor th end of the Gulf of Gabes, Posidonea oceanica comprises 95% of the marine fauna a t depths l e s s than 30 m. Between 30 - 45 m depth, Canlerpa sp. and Vidal ia v o l u b i l i s (green a lgae) dominate. A t depths g r e a t e r than 50 m , the red calcareous a lgae Lithophyllum racemus i s found ( ~ a j a i and Zaarah 1981 ).

B. Fauna

Mamnals. Although t h e r e i s a d l v e r s i t y o f v e g e t a t i o c types a locg t h e -- c o a s t , t h e most common a s s o c i a t i o c s a r e of h a l o p h i l e s p e c i e s . Halophi le a s s o c i a t i o n s provide adequate cover f o r sma l l t o mid-sized mamnals, such a s jerboa J a c u l u s o r i e c t a l i a , g e r b i l C e r b i l l u s campes t r l s , sacd r a t Psammomys obesus, haw's jr i rd, brow. h a r e , A l g e r i a c hedgehog and t h e Egyptiac mongoose, red fox and j a c k a l s t h a t prey o r them. Uplacd a r e a s a l s o harbor many of t h e above mamnala, bu t c u l t i v a t i o c , ove rg raz i cg and o t h e r forms of d i s t u r b a n c e l i m i t t h e h a b i t a t va lue .

Birds. Vac Di jk (1986) r e p o r t e d t h a t "it would appear t h a t t h e C ~ l f - of Cabes is t h e major a r e a i n t h e Ked i t e r r aceac f o r w i c t e r i c g waders acd some waterfowl spec ie s" . T h i s conc lus ioc was based oc c o ~ c t s made of w in te r i cg waterfowl and waders over 380 km o f s h o r e l i c e (765 of t h e Gulf of Cabes t o t a l ) i c J a c ~ a r y - March 1984.

The C i l f of Gabes is t h e most impor t ac t w i c t e r i c g e r e a i c t h e 1,lediterraceac f o r cormorac ts acd s p o o c b i l l s . A t l e a s t 3 th rea t eced s p e c i e s a l s o occ;r t h e r e . N ice t eec wader acd waterfowl s p e c l e s ve re detormjced t o w i c t e r i c t h e Gulf of Cabes i r combers g r e a t e r t h a c :% of t h e i r t o t a l flyway o r b iogeograph ica l popula t ions . Those s p e c i e s a r e noted i r . t h e l is t of Golf of Cabes b i r d s p e c i e s ( f i e z r e 4 ) .

Marice Faoca. The mocotocy of s ed jmec t s , t h e homogecejty, acd t h e a b s e ~ c e of rocky s u b s t r a t e s i c t h e g o l f r e s s l t s i c a v a s t e x t e c s i o c acd low d l v f r s j t y of marjce f a i c a ( ~ z o u z 1975). Donirac t s p e c j e s of t h e soo theas t c o a s t a r e :

Ceodea sp. P i cc t ada a l b i d a ( c o t f o o ~ d t o t h e n o r t h ) Spatacgus porpureus Hacel ia a t t e c u a t a ( s a b - t r o p i c a l )

C e c t r o s t e p h a c ~ s l o c g i spir.;s "

A l t h o ~ g h s p e c i e s d i v e r s i t y i s low, p r o d o c t i o r js very high. Almost a l l of t h e sponges, 75: o f t h e shrimp and 605 of t h e ber . thjc f i s h harvested i n T x i s i a come from t h e Ciilf of Gabes (!he-0thnac :973). Ex tecs t ive l i s t s of ha rves t ed f i s h s p e c i e s a r e g i v e r by Ber-Cthmac (:973) acd Na j a i acd Zaarah (1 981 1.

A t o t a l of 500 mol lusc s p e c i e s have beec r epor t ed f o r t h Gulf of Gabes ( ~ o s s o 7979, S e a r a t 1924 acd 1929, as c i t e d i c Vac Di jk 1986); however, only a few s p e c i e s a r e impor t an t i c terms o f biomass acd d e c s i t y . Average dry weight pe r squa re meter of macrobenthos f auca from t h e i c t e r t i d a l f l a t s near Kneiss i s l a n d i s 26.0 erams ( ~ a c Di jk 1986). The taxonomic groups r ep resec t ed i n t h a t weight a r e : Cas t ropodia (4951, B iva lv i a ( 3 6 ) , Polychaeta ( : O % ) , Crus tacea ( I & ) and o t h e r groups only comprised 1 5 of

t h e t o t a l . The most common s p e c i e s found a r e :

Lepidochi tona c i n e r e a B i t t i um sp. Gourmya v u l g a t a T r u n c u l a r i o p s i s t runcu lus Nassa r i idae P i n c t a d a r a d i a t a L o r i p e s l a c t e u s Cerastoderma edu le Venerupis decussa V. a u r e a S c r o b i c u l a r i a c o t t a r d e Gas t rana f r a g i l i s Pecaeus ke ran tu rus

Solen margina tus Marphysa sanguinea D r i l o n e r e i e f i l um P e r k n e r e i s c u l t r i f e r a N a t a n t i a Elaldanidae C a l l i a n a s s a ep. Brachyura Iaopoda Amphipoda Ophiuroidea Dasybrachus sp. Holothuroidea

C. I n f l u e c c e s A s with t h e c o a s t l i n e t o t h e n o r t h , much o f t h e Gulf o f Gabes

c o a s t l i n e i s c u l t i v a t e d , grazed o r developed. Hunting and poaching occur acd the gulf i s t h e primary sou rce of f i s h , shr imp and spocges harves ted i n Tun i s i a . Thz most s z c s i t i v e l o c a t i o c s a r e t h e i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s , which a r e i n t e r n a t i o c a l l y impor tant f o r mig ra t ing water fowl and waders. The s o f t bottom p r o t e c t s many of t h e i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s from f r e q a e n t d i s tu rbacca and development.

Figure 4

Birds of the Gulf of Gabes

L i t t l e grsbe Great c r e s t e d grebe Black-necked grebe Cory's shearwater Gannet Cormoract Squacco heron

n* L i t t l e e g r e t Great white e g r e t Grey heron Glossy i b i s

t* White s t o r k Spoocbi l l Greater flamingo

n* Sheldack Wigeor. P i n t a i l G a r g a ~ e y Shoveler Marsh h a r r i e r Her. h a r r i e r Buzzard Locg-leggad buzzard Goldec eag le Osprey Kes t re l Merlir. Lacner f a l c o c

t Peregr ice Barbary p a r t r i d g e Coot Crar.2 Oystercatcher Black-winged s t i l t

n* Avocet Stone curlew L i t t l e r inged plover Ringed p lover L i t t l e s t i n t Kentish p lover D o t t e r e l Golden plover

* Grey plover Knot Sacdar1ir.g

c = r . i s t ing b i r d s t = t h r a a t e c i d s ~ e c i e s

Curlew sandpiper Dunlin Ruff Broad-billed sandpiper Black-tai led godwit Bar- t a i l e d godwi t Whimbrel

t Slender-bi l led curlew Curlew Spotted redshank

n* Redshank Greenshack Marsh sandpiper Wood sandpiper Common sandpiper Turnstone Red-necked phalarope Pomarine skua Arc t i c skua Great skua Mediterranean g u l l L i t t l e g u l l Black-headed g u l l

n* Slender-bi l led g u l l Common g u l l Lesser black back Herring g u l l Great black backed g u l l Kit t iwake Gul l -b i l led t e r n Caspian t e r n Lesser-crested t e r n Sacdwich t e r n

n Common t e r n n L i t t l e t e r n n Black t e r n

White-winged black t e r n Whiskered t e r n Green sandpiper Rock dove Palm dove L i t t l e owl Short-eared owl Swif t o r p a l l i d s w i f t White-rumped s w i f t

Kingf isher Hoopoe Short-toed l a r k Lesser s-toed l a r k Skylark Crested l a r k Swallow House martin Headow p i p i t Red- throated p i p i t Water p i p i t White wagta i l Grey wagta i l Robin Black r e d s t a r t Moussier' s r e d s t a r t Stonechat I s a b e l l i n e wheatear Wheatear Red-rumped wheatear Mourning wheatear Blackbird Song th rash Rufous bushchat Reed warbler Fan- t a i l e d warbler Marmora' s warbler Spectacled warbler Sa rd ic ian warbler Chif fchaff Fulvous babbler Great grey s h r i k e Corn bunting Reed bunting Trumpeter f inch Linnet Goldfinch Greenf inch Raven S e r i n Chaffinch S t a r l i n g S p o t l e s s g t a r l i n g Spanish sparrow

= > 18 of popula t ion of flyway o r b iogeographical regioc

32

Fight major i s l a c d a r c h i p e l a g o s a r e d i s t r i b u t e d a l o c g the c o a s t o f 'h ic i s ia ( f i g c r e 5). There a r e a l s o m a ~ y s m a l l e r i s l a c d s , same of which a r e mere rocks j u t t i c g from t h e water acd some l a r e e ecosgh t o sappor t a b i t of v e g e t a t i o c , b s t c o t l a r g e enough t o be c o ~ s i d e r e d i n p o r t a n t i n terms of n a t j o n a l b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y . The two l a r g e s t i s l a c d s , Kerkeccah and J e r b a , a r e both i c t h e south . The i s l a n d s a r e s epa ra t ed by d i s t a c c e s of 26 t o 135 km, biit cone a r e more than 50 kn from t h e m a i ~ l a c d .

Species composit ion i c v e g e t a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o m o r j s l a c d s a r e a f f e c t e d by a f a c t o r known a s i c s u l a r i t y . Cece pools a r e r e s t r i c t e d p r i m a r i l y t o p l a c t s p re sen t oc t h e i s l a n d s wi th a m i c i m m o f i c v a s i o n by vied borce acd f l o a t i c g seeds . V i t h o c t t h e f r e q u e r t d i s p e r s i oe of s eeds be tueec a r e a s , a s i s commoc OR t h e n a i c l a c d , s p e c i e s a r e more easS lp e l imica t ed from a r i s l a c d . The re fo re , t h e r e a r e s s u a l l y f e u e r t o t a l s p e c i e s o r j s l a r d s acd r a r e s p e c i e s mer i t s p e c i a l a t t e c t j o c .

The combicat ioc of t h e i c s u l a r i t y f a c t o r , t h i c s o i l s acd oc s o u t h e r r i s l a c d s t h e r e l a t i v e l y low acc i ia l p r e c i p i t a t i o c nakes i s f a c d f l n r h acd fa,ca q ~ j t e s e c s i t i v e t o i c f l a e c c e s oc t h e ecosystem. Craz lcg i s a l r e a d y so i .c tecse oe most i s l a n d s t h a t i t is ~ r d o u b t e d l y d r a s t i c a l l ? a f f e c t i c g spec ie s conpos t ioc . Ac i n c r e a s e i c l i v e s t o c k cumbers, c . s l t i va t ed l a r d o r w b a n a r e a s c c ~ l d r e s i i l t i c fewer n a t i v e s p e c i e s of f l o r a zb le t o occ,py the lin:ted space .

Developmeet p r o j e c t s o f t e c i ipset t h e s o i l s t a b i l i t y of i s l a c d s , r e s s l t i c g i c sa rd d i x e fo rma t ioc o r t h e l o s s of l a r d by e r o s i o r . P o l l c t i o c is a l s o a s e r i o u s concerc t h a t sho-sld be a s ses sed i r regard t o developmeet p l a r s f o r t h e i s l a n d s . The wa te r nroacd K z r i a t e , Kerkeccah acd Jerba a r e a l r e a d y a f f e c t e d by t h e l a r g e amozcts of i c d . ~ s t r l a l acd urbac p o l l > . i t i o ~ isssi r~ from c o a s t a l c i t i e s ( ~ e c t i o c 3.: ). I cc reased p o l l c t i o c i c t h e sha l low wa te r s woiild c o t oc ly be d e t r i n e c t a l t o marice f ac ra acd f l o r a and s h o r e b i r d s , biit t h e l o c a l h a r v e s t of f i s h and o t h e r seafood wo..ild have h ighe r l e v e l s of coctarnir-ar-ts, t h i i s a f f e c t i c e h ~ n a c hea l th acd we l f a re .

Popcla t ion erowth acd i c c r e a s i c g tour ism w i l l a l s o i c c r e a s e demacds o r t he i s l a c d s ' r e soc rces . F re sh wa te r is an e s p e c i a l l y va luab le r e s o s r c e , acd a s cse i c c r e a s e s t h e groundwater may be ove rexp lo i t ed . If groucdwater use is co t p rope r ly r e g u l a t e d i t may be pcmped f a s t e r thar. i t i s replec ished by f r e s h w a t e r , t h u s lowering t h e wa t ~ r t a b l e acd a l l o u i c ~ seawater t o i r - f i l t r a t e , c a u s i r g a c i r r e v e r s i b l e i . r c r ease ir. s a l i r i t y (acd i n p o l l s t a c t s from t h e s e a ) . A lowered water t a b l e wncld a l s o a f f e c t vege ta t ioc c o n n u c i t i e s t h a t e x i s t i n a r e a s where t h e groi icduater Is currertl:; c e a r t h e s . s r face .

Figure 5

Locations of Islands

of Tunisia

Galite

Can i

Plane

Zembra

Kuriate

Kerkennah

Kneiss

Jerba

To summarize, t h e g e n e r a l f a c t o r s t o which t h e i s l a n d ecosystems a r e s e n s i t i v p inc lude :

Eros ion caus ing a c t i v i t i e s : Vegeta t ion removal - e s p e c i a l l y on s t e e p s l o p e s Dis turbance o f s u r f a c e s o i l S h o r e l i n e deg rada t ion - e s p e c i a l l y on t h e s m a l l e r i s l a n d s

A c t i v i t i e s t h a t reduce f l o r a and f auna s p e c i e s and numbers: Water p o l l u t i o n Water e x p l o i t a t i o n ( i. e . over -exp lo i t a t ion ) Human a c t i v i t y - e s p e c i a l l y du r ing t h e n e s t i n g season Egg c o l l e c t i o n o r d e s t r u c t i o n Eros ion above n e s t i n g l edges - d e s t r o y s n e s t s and b i r d s Animal s p e c i e s over-populat ion - can damage v e g e t a t i o n Under-populat ioc - gene pools below c r i t i c a l l e v e l s Poaching Cora l c o l l e c t i n g ( ~ a l i t e )

3.2.1. G a l i t e

The G a l i t e a r c h i p e l a g o i s 40 krn from t h e n o r t h c o a s t of Tun i s i a , 45 km northwast of Cap S e r r a t acd 64 krn n o r t h e a s t of Tabarka. The a rch ipe l ago i s domirated by t h e "T" shaped main i s l a n d o f G a l i t e , which i s 5.4 km long and c.950 m a c r o s s a t t h e ca r rowes t po in t and 2.5 km a t t h e wides t p a r t o f the "T". The p l an i rne t r i c s u r f a c e a r e a of t h e i s l a n d i s 650 ha , which i s ir. r e a l i t y i nc reased by t h e s l o p i n g topography, cu lminat ing a t 391 m ASL.

Aboiit 2.5 krn t o t h e southwest of G a l i t e i s t h e i s l e t o f l a Fauche l l e , 14 ha i r a rea axd f a i r l y low i n a l t i t u d e . The i s l e t o f Gal i tor . i s only 50 meters t o t he west of l a Fauche l l e , has an a r e a o f 27 ha and i s topped by a l i gh thoase . A t r i o of smal l i s l e t s , t he I s l e s de Chiens ( " ~ o g ~ s l a n d s " ) l i e 1.6 km n o r t h of G a l i t e , t he l a r g e s t o f which is l e s s than 9 ha, but has a c a l t i t u d s of 119 rn ( ~ a u l t h i e r 1978). Thus t h e t o t a l p lanimetr ic land a r i a of t h e a rch ipe l ago i s about 700 ha.

The G a l i t e a r c h i p e l a g o i s t h e only g r a n i t i c format ion i n Tun i s i a ( I U C N 1987). S o i l s a r e t h i n , o f g r a n i t i c o r i g i n , and some of t h e s m a l l e r i s l e t s and p a r t s of t h e l a r g e r ones a r e scoured by the wind and waves t o t h e po in t t h a t t h e r e i s l i t t l e s o i l o r vege ta t ion cover. On t h e main i s l a n d t h e r e a r e some v a l l e y s and p l a t e a u s wi th deep s o i l s , and i n many l o c a t i o n s t h e s o i l is t h i c k enough t o have been c u l t i v a t e d t o v inya rds and gardens.

Caves wi th above wa te r o r underwater en t r ances have been carved i n t o many p laces by t h e a c t i o n of t h e sea ( ~ o s s e r 1978). R e l a t i v e l y sha l low water (cornpared t o t h e r e s t of t h e "Coral coas t " ) wi th a rocky bottom surrounds the i s l a ~ d s . Around t h e a rch ipe l ago t h e wa te r depth i s s c a r c e l y over 100 n ( ~ a a l t h i i r 1978) and i t i s much l e s s betweer. t h e i s l e t s .

A. Vegetation

Wuch of G a l i t e i s covered by "diss" Ampelodesma tenax, a low g r a s s t h a t i s sometimes very dense on hills. Some v a l l e y s on t h e northwest a ide eupport shrubs so dense t h a t they a r e impenetrable (Gau l th ie r 1978). Those maquis a r e of the Olea- lent iscus t y p e , - w i t h some Tamarix and Laurus mixed i n .

The g e n t l e r s l o p e s of the i s l e t s of Gal i ton and l a Fauchel le a l s o support s h o r t and scrubby Olea- lent iscus formations, but t h e main vegeta t ion i s d i s s . Two of t h e t h r e e I e l e s de Chiens a r e very weather beaten and produce very l i t t l e vegeta t ion, but t h a t which does occur is mainly grasses and annual herbs.

Domicant s p e c i e s of t h e archipelago include:

Ampelodesma tenax P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s Olea europaea Tamarix a f r i c a n a L a u n s n o b i l i s

C i s t u s sp. Rosmarinus o f f i c i n a l i s S c i l l a maritima Cynara scolymus

Mammals. I n 1986 only one monk s e a l Monachus monachus was observed a t ~ a l i w ~ 1987). which seems t o i n d i c a t e a decrease i n numbers a s we l l a s a s t ronger tendency t o r e s t i n s i d e caves with underwater en t rances i ~ s t e a d of OK beaches. Reasons f o r the change i n behavior a r e probably r e l a t i d t o i cc reased human a c t i v i t y in t h e a r e a . ( e s p e c i a l l y r e c r e a t i o n a l a c t i v i t y ) and i t i s e s s e n t i a l t o the conservat ion of the monk s e a l popalatioc t h a t d i s tu rbance be reduced t o t h e minimum l e v e l p o s s i b l e ( ~ o s s e r 1978).

The North Af r i cac subspecies of the European r a b b i t ( 0 c t o l a u s cuciculas) is found on G a l i t e , Gal i ton and l a Fauchelle ( ~ n a n e --? 1977 . The r a b b i t s o r ig ina ted i n North Afr ica and may have crossed t o G a l i t e when the archipelago was connected t o the mainland by a land br idge dur ing t h e Riss-glacia l sea regress ion (IUCN 1987) o r they may have been .introduced during the Punic epoch a s a food rese rve (Gau l th ie r 1978). Current r e s iden t s make use of t h a t food reserve , and al though r a b b i t s a r e u s u a l l y abundant on Gal i ton and l a Fauchel le , ftshermen have hunted s o f requen t ly :

on Ga l i t e t h a t they have almost e l iminated t h e r a b b i t s i n t h e pas t . Bats P i p i s t r e l l i s sp. a r e common on t h e i s l a n d s and common dolphins Delphinus delphis a r e f r equen t ly seen offshore .

Birds. A breeding colony of 60 - 70 p a i r s of endangered Eleonora ' s - fa lcocs Falco e leonorae n e s t s on one of t h e i s l e t s (Gau l th ie r 1978). The world popalatior, of Eleonora ' s f a l con is l e s s than 4000, s o t h e 3% found oc the G a l i t e a r c h i p e l a g ~ a r e of high i n t e r n a t i o n a l importance.

Audouin's g u l l s L a m s audouin i i a r e t h e r a r e s t breeding g u l l of the Europe and North Afr ica re'giar.-(Heinzel e t . a l . 1979). They only breed on rocky i s l ands i n t h e Mediterranean sea and the re a r e repor t s of a small breeding colony a t C a l i t e (Cau l th ie r 1978). This species i s it ser ious danger of e x t i n c t i o c and any breeding colony is of i n t e r n a t i o n a l s ignif icance.

Nesting b i r d s a t t h e C a l i t e archipelago

Shag Cory's shearwater Storm p e t r e l

t Eleonora' s fa lcon t Peregr ine

Kes t re l Herring g u l l

t ~ u d o u i n ' s g u l l

include :

Blue rock thrush Spanish sparrow Rock dove Woodchat s h r i k e Sardinian warbler melac Dartford warbler Marmora's warbler Goldficch

t = Threatened Species

Non-nesting b i r d s inc lude :

Grey heron Booted eagle Common sandpiper T u r t l e dove Bare owl Swif t

Hoopoe Wood p i p i t Grey wagtail I c t e r i n e warbler Whitethroat Wood warbler Wheatear

Her etofaura. The r i c h herpetofauna i s Atlanto-mediterranean i n o r i i m 7 ) , and t h e most abundant a r e l a c r r t i d s and Scincids :

Scincus sp. Terentola sp. Testndo graeca Caret ta c a r e t t a

C. Inf luences

There i s a smal l v i l l a g e of fishermen on C a l i t e . About 10 f a m i l i e s (approximately 35 people) were permanent r e s i d e n t s on the i s l and i n 1978, and i n prime l o b s t e r season t h e population was augmented by an a d d i t i o n a l 18 famil ies , r a i s i n g t h e population t o c.158 people. I n add i t ion t o t h e houses of the v i l l a g e r s , a primary school and a m i l i t a r y base (with aboat 40 people) have been e s t a b l i s h e d on Gal i t e . Gal i ton i s occupied by a lighthouse and i t s a t t endan ts .

The a c t i v i t i e s of t h e fishermen a r e having a profoand ic f luecce oc aome of the r a r e fauna of t h e a rea . To p r o t e c t t h e f i s h popala t iocs , some f i s h e m e c seek t o e l imina te n a t u r a l p reda to rs , inc1adir.g the r a r s marine t o r t o i s e Thalassochyelys c o r t i c a t a , which sometimes become ectacgled ic f i s h nets . Mork s e a l s a r e k i l l e d because they e a t f i s h acd sometimes damage nets .

Duricg t h e c e s t i c g s eason i t i s conmoc f o r f i shermec t o c o l l e c t eggs from c o l o c i e s of Cory ' s s h e a r w a t e r s acd h e r r i c g g u l l s t o supplernect t h e i r d t e t s . T h i s a c t i v i t y h a s had a profoccd e f f e c t oc t h e Cory ' s shea rwa te r popii lat ioc. Ic t h e p a s t , eggs acd c h i c k s were ga thered f r o n R l e o c o r a ' s f a l coc c e s t s t o supp ly f a l c o n e r s . Garbage diimpicg, sewage ou t f lows acd v i l l a g e expacs ioc a r e o t h e r hunac i c f l u e c c e s o c t h e i s l a c ? ecosystems.

Rec rea t j o c a l a c t i v j t y a l s o i c f l u e n c e s t h e f auca o f t h e a r ch jpe l ago . For 5-6 mocths of t h e y e a r , y a c h t s acchor i c t h e wa te r s o f C a l i t e acd p s s e c c e r s exgage i c SCUBA d i v i c g acd s p e a r f i s h i n g . :Jot o c l y does t h i s a c t i v i t y e f f e c t t h e f i s h acd c o r a l fo rma t iocs , i t a l s o d i s t u r b s mock s e a l s and c e s t i c g b i r d s . Pro locged v i s i t s t o t h e s h o r e d c r j c g t h e c e s t i c g s easoc cac r e s u l t i c s e r i o ~ s l o s s e s o f eggs dce t o i c s o l a t i o c .

F e r a l g o a t s , sheep acd cows a r e a f f e c t j c g t h e v e g e t a t i o c composi t ioc acd s x c e s s i o c a l s t a g e s o f G a l i t e . Other j c t rodzced mammals a r e a f f e c t i r e t h e facca o f t h e i s l a c d s . R a t s R a t t u s no rveg icus a r e foucd on a l l o f t h e i s l e t s acd comnocly r a i d t h e c e s t s of Cory ' s shea rwa te r s ard g ~ l l s . R a t s a r e ab ixdec t , o r ove rabzcdac t , e v e r thocgh they a r e preyed c p x by c a t s oe G a l i t e ecd r a p t o r s t h r o c g h s ~ t t h e a r ch ipe l ago . F e r a l c a t s e l s a prey oc c e s t i c g b i r d s acd t h e i r youcg.

Rabbi t s a r e s o o v e r a b w d a c t i c some l o c a t i o c s t h a t they have t aken over a l l o f t h e sec luded r i c h e s where Cory ' s shea rwa te r s t r a d j t i o c a l l y ce s t ed ( ~ a i l t h i e r 1978). Vhec t h e b i r d s a r e fo rced t o c s e l e s s f a v o r a b l e l o c a t i o c s f o r c e s t i c g t hey become miich more v c l c e r a b l e t o c a t s acd r a t s . Rabbi t s d i g bcrrows i c macy o f t h e mwe f a v o r a b l e l a c a t j o c s of t h e j s l a c d s . Those d j g g i c g s a r e sometimes d e t r i m e c t a l t o t h e v e g e t a t j s c , which i s aggrava ted by t h e f e e d i c g a c t i v j t y o f t h e a b x d a c t ac jmals .

G a l i t o c i s l e t was d e s i g c a t e d a s t r i c t c a t c r e r e s e r v e oc 4 J u l y 1980. The r e s e r v e i c c l a d e s t h e i s l e t acd a 0.5 s e a m i l e r a d j u s a s a c i c t e g r a l c a t z r e r e s e r v e ; t h e r e f o r e , j t a l s o i c c l u d e s l a F a ~ c h e l l e i s l e t . C a l 5 t e js of i c t e r c a t i o c a l impor t acce because of t h e ecdacgered Ked j t e r r aceac mock s e a l s acd t h e c e s t i n g c o l o c j e s of A . ~ d o u i c ' s g u l l s , E l eoco ra ' s f a l c o c s acd Cory 's shea rwa te r s . Ic s p i t e of t h e t e r r e s t r i a l acd n a r j c e f a c r a acd i s l a c d h a b l t a t , whjch is a t l e a s t o f n a t i o c a l impor t acce , t h e r e i s l i t t l e a c t i v e naraeemect a t t h e p r e s s c t t i n e ( I U C I ~ :987).

3.2.2. Zembra and Zembret ta I s l a n d s

The Zenbra a r c h j p e l a g o i s l o c a t e d ic t h e C ~ l f of T s c i s r e a r t h e c o r t h e r c t i p of Cap Boc. A t t h e c l o s e s t p o i c t , t h e i s l a c d s a r e 11 kn cor thwes t o f t h e maic lacd . Zembra, t h e l a r g e s t j s l a c d of t h e a r c h i p e l a g o , has a c a r e a of 370 ha. O c t h e s o c t h e a s t s j d e o f Zenbra i s Zenbre t t a , a much sma l l e r i s l a c d of 5 ha. There a r e a l s o two t i c y i s l e t s - t h e Cathedra l acd L a c t o w h e , whjch a r e c o t much more t h a c rock fo rma t jocs j ~ t t i c g oiit o f t h e s e a , 60 m acd 400 m from Zembrs, r e s p e c t i v e l y .

Zenbra 5s e p r i s m a t j c shaped m o x t a j c o i s i s l a c d ('race 19771, with a maximcn a l t i t ~ d e of L35 m. There a r e s t e e p c l i f f s a r o x d t h e j s l a c d , r i s i c g c p t o 200 m high o c t h e c o r t h s i d e , makjcg a c c e s s d i f f l c c l t . A t t h e bzse of t h e c l j f f s acd a l o c g t h e r e s t of t h p :2 kn s h s r e l i c e t h e r e a r e

many caves and coves. Zembretta is a l s o pr ismat ic i n shape and d i f f i c u l t t o access. The 1.2 krn of shore l ine r i s e s t o c l i f f s on the northwest a ide

,and the re i s a lkghthouse a t the highest point of the i s l and (53 m). There a r e 4 seasonal r i v e r s on Zembra - Oued of the Harbor, Oued

Z i t o m , Oued Callefroda and Oued e l Kebkr - t h a t d ra in watersheds of 25 t o 100 ha. The only permanent sp r ing i s Ain Kabbar. Thin, s o i l s o r i g i n a t e from s u b s t r a t e s t h a t a r e a cont inuat ion of s t r a t a found on Cap Bon: a l t e r n a t i n g l a y e r s of sandy limestone and c l a y s from the oligocene and mPocene e r a s (IUCN 1987). There a r e a l s o eocene depos i t s r i c h i n marine f o s s i l s .

Violent winter winds a f f e c t the i s l and vegeta t fon by blowing s a l t y spray onto the land. Water s a l f n i t y a t tbe su r face is 37 ppt. I n June the surface water temperature averages 15 C (IUCN 1987). The i s l a n d s have a Sub-humid bioclimate with a warm winter v a r i a n t i n the lowlands and a mild w i ~ t e r v a r i a n t i n the hfghlands.

A. Vegatation

Species d i v e r s i t y is poorer on Zembra than i t i s a t mainland sEtes w i t h s i m i l a r c l imate and s o i l conditkons ( ~ n a n e 1977); probably due t o the i n s ~ l a r i t y fac to r . In 1953 t h e r e were 230 p l a n t spec ies recorded on Zembra. Many of the spec ies found i n the a l l u v i a l p la in a t the south end of the i s l and have disappeared s ince t h a t time.

Oce of the spec ies t h a t disappeared from Zembra a t some time is holm oak Quercus =. The absence of holm oak i s of sEgnif icant i n t e r e s t s i x + i t should be the climax f o r e s t specses of the i s l and (Snane 1977). Although the re a r e no oaks on Zembra, a ssoc ia ted p lan t s c h a r a c t e r s s t i c of the Q. i l e x climax s tage a r e wel l represented a s wel l a s the p i ~ n e e r se ra1 s tages . Bare land i s colonized by a Helianthemwn sward; accompanied by:

Mentha pulegium Trifolium arvense T. tomentosum Vicia tetrasperma

Fi lago g a l l i c a Plantago coronopus Radiola l ino ides

Hslianthemum swards succeed t o Cfstaceae sc rub ( ~ i s t u s monspeliensis and C . s a l v i i f o l i u s ) , which occupy about 50 ha, then low Erica multiflora - w i t h :

P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s Clematks c i r rhosa Per iploca laevf gata P a r i e t a r i a lus i t anf ca Ph i l ly rea a n g u s t i f o l i a s s p media Arkstolochia longa Myrtus communis Sonchus oleraceus Daphne gnkdium Bryonia dkoica Lonicera implexa Arisarum vulgare

which has bee^ replaced on 50 ha by the high E r i c a arborea and Arbutus unido shrab complex - the s t age preceding a Q. i l e x clkmax. A d d i t i o ~ a l

s p e c i e s appearing a t t h i s s t a g e include:

Echium plantagsneum Campanula dichotoma Paronychka echknata Calycotome v i l l o s a Sklene g a l l i c a Rubsa peregrkna Cichoiam intybus Polypodkum vulgare A l l i u m roseum Trklax apula A. p a l l e n s Ammi: majus

Frequent d i s r u p t i o n s t o t h e ecosystems s e t back t h e successfonal s t a g e s and i n s u l a r i t y and o t h e r in f luences prevent es tabl ishment of the Quercus ilex climax f o r e s t . More xerothermkc loca t fons a r e occupked by Olea europaea - P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s ( o r 0 lea - l en t i scus ) formations. - europaea has survived only 3x1 the most xerothermsc s i t e s (c.30 ha ) , s o most s t acds a r e dominated only by P i s t a c i a l en tkscus (more than 140 ha). Olea- lent iscus formations occupy a b e l t 50 - 350 m wide between t h e lowest lkmit of the Quercus ilex type formatkons and t h e ha loph i l e zone along t h e sea . Spacias a s soc ia ted with the formation include:

G a l a c t i l i s tomentosa Euphorbia p e p l i s Hyosaris r a d i a t a Jun2perus Phoenicia

T Brassica c r a t i c a a t l a n t i c a Ruta chalepensis Avia t e n o r i i Rapistrum rugosum Carex d i v i s a Br i sa maxfma Capparis spinosa D a c t l y h glomerata Prasium majus Medscago hispida

Alocg tha shora of Zembra and over most of Zembretta i s a l i t t o r a l zoce subjected t o sea water spray, which f a v o r s halophi le vegeta t ion. This zone i s 50 - 100 m wide on Zembra and extends up t o 50 m kn a l t i t u d e , covering a t o t a l of 80 ha. The ha loph i l e vege ta t ion i s typkfied by:

Crithmum maritimum Inu la cr i thmoidas S e ~ e c i o c r a s s i f o l i u s

acd accompaciad by

r Senecio c i n e r a r i a typ icus Urginea maritima

r Erodium maritkmwn Cakile aegypt ia T Polygonum maritimum rT Polypogon maritimus I b e r i s semperf l o r u s

The remainder of Zembretta, around t h e

P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c u s Olea europaea

S t a t i c e vsrgata S. echioides Lotus a l l k o n i i

Fumaria caprec la ta Mesembryanthemem crks ta l l inum At r ip lex pa tu la Scabs osa fa r inosa Dkanthus rupicole hermaensfs Brass ica c re tkca a t l a n t i c a Erodfum chium

l igh thouse i s occupied by

Phkl lyrea angus t f fo l fa Chamaerops humilis

r = Rare T = Tunis ia E~demic

Vegetation C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of S p e c i a l Importance The Zembra archipelago is the only i s l and l o c a t i o n of the Olea-

l e n t i s c u s assoc ia t ion i n Tunis ia . I n s u l a r i t y has resul ted i n the halophile vegeta t ion formation being d i f f e r e n t from t h a t same type elsewhere. The l i t t o r a l eone has been l e f t undamaged by man f o r many years and the halophi le vege ta t ion ie t h e r e f o r e a prfme example of i t s typa i n Tunisia. Soma spec ies on Zembra a r e a l s o common i n I t a l y , but

. have not extended t h e i r range i n t o mainland Afrfca. These include:

Senecio c ine rea Echium maritimum

I b e r f s semperf lo rens Poterkum spPnosum

(Sanguisorba spinosum)

The ocly Tunisian l o c a t i o n of Calendula s u f f r u t i c o s a is Zembra. Rare and endemic species include ( ~ a u l t h i e r 1978, I U C N 1987, Radford and Peterken 1969):

T Scabiosa fa r inosa (cap Bon only) r Avena longiglumis rT Diarthus rupicola h e m a e n s i s (cap Bon only) r Meliotus alegans T Melica minuta s s p euminuta r S i lene neglecta

NA Ferula t i c g i t a n a (cap Bon and Oran, ~ l g e r s a ) r Erodium hymenoides v Sisymbrium polyceratum r E. maritimum v Brassica c r e t i c a a t l a n t i c a r Lavatera punctata

TA Sedam tuberosam ................................................... v = Very Rare NA = North African Endemic r = Rare TA = ~ u n i s i a / ~ l ~ e r i a Ecdemic

T = Tunis ia Endemic

B. Fauna

Mammals. Askde from smal l rodents and b a t s , the only mammal on the i s l and t h a t i s probably na t ive i s the Maghreb subspecies of the European rabbi t . I n a reas where r a b b i t s congregate, they can v i r t u a l l y e l iminate Brassica c r e t i c a and Daucus c a r o t t a by grazing. Myomatosis d r a s t i c a l l y reduced the rabb i t population i n the p a s t , but i n 1977 Snane s t i l l estimated 10 rabb i t s per hec ta re near-Cappo Crosso and 3 per ha around Cal la Freda and A i r Kabar.

Introduced spec ies include abundant black r a t s Rat tus r a t t u s alexandrus, which a r e preyed upon by f e r a l c a t s . Some European mouflon Ovis musimon were introduced t o the i s l a n d , a s wel l a s f e r a l goats and - sheep, which a r e now causing overgrazing and s o i l compaction problems - espec ia l ly the goats.

Endangered monk s e a l s were observed on the Zembra coas t i n the pas t (IUCN 19871, but t h e r e have been no r e p o r t s i n recent years. Commoc dolphics a r e o f ten observed near the coast .

Birds. Of the 140 b i rd spec ies recorded f o r t h e Zembra archipelago, - most a r e migratory. Some spec ies s t o p a t t h e i s l a n d s f o r ocly a few days while o thers remain most of the year. The l ack of a dense herb l a y e r under the s h m b formations r e s u l t s in a l ack of nes t ing cover acd a lox prodaction of i c s e c t s f o r i n s e c t i v o r e s t o prey oc ( ~ n a n e 1977). Both

f a c t o r s inc rease predat ion on upland ground nestkng b i r d s ; the re fo re , not . many r e s i d e n t nes t ing upland b i r d s p e c i e s have been recorded f o r Zembra.

Some r a t h e r l a r g e popula t ions of s e a b i r d s n e s t on t h e i s l ands . A colony of c.20,000 - 25,000 Cory's shearwaters n e s t s t h e r e (IUCN 1987). Th i s is one of t h e l a r g e s t known Cory's ehearwater co lon ies i n t h e i r e n t i r e range (Snane 1977), and t h e only o t h e r known nes t ing loca t ion i n Tunis ia is t h e G a l i t e archipelago. There a r e a l s o nestkng colon5es of he r r ing g u l l s and endangered Audouin's g u l l s and peregr ine fa lcons , g iv ing t h e s i t e k n t e r n a t i o n a l importance. The main r e s i d e n t nes t ing b i r d s a re :

Cory' s shearwater Shag Herring g u l l (900 p a i r s ) t Peregr ine (1 1-13 p a i r s )

t Audouin's g u l l (10 p a i r s ) Rock dove

t = Threatened Species

Mkgratory b i r d s , many of which a r e l i k e l y t o n e s t on t h e i s l a n d s , icc lude:

K e s t r e l Fan- ta i led warblar Long-legged buzzard Corn bunting Blue rock th rush House sparrow Long-tailed tit (uncommor) Goldfinch Coal t i t Raven

Non-nesting migrants include:

Gannet Grey heron L i t t l e e g r e t White s t o r k Black s t o r k Crace Black k i t e Short-toed eagle Sparrowhawk Buzzard Honey buzzard Booted .eagle Egyptian v u l t u r e

Marsh h a r r i e r Hen h a r r i e r Eleonora ' s f a l c o n Common sandpiper Cuckoo Q u a i l Wren Blackcap White throat B o n n e l l i ' s warbler Ch i f fchaf f Goldcres t Spot ted f l y c a t c h e r

Red-backed s h r i k e Yellow wagta i l Grey wagta i l Tree p i p i t Water p i p i t Swallow House martin Black r e d s t a r t Reds ta r t Stonrchat Robin Blackbird Dunnock

Herpetofauna. The r e p t i l e s and amphibians of Zembra have not been we l l s tud ied , but Snane (1977) made a p a r t i a l l i s t , including:

Psammodromus a l g i r u s ( common) Challokdes o c e l l a t u s (commoc) Hemidactylus t u r c i c u s t u r c i c u s Coluber h ippor rep i s - (snake) Phyl lodactylus europaeus (probable) Malpolon monspressulanus "

Caret ta c a r e t t a c a r e t t a - marine t u r t l e Cornel la girondica 'I

C. Inf luences

During the successive per iods of c o n t r o l by var ious nat ions through h i s t o r y , s e v e r a l vege ta t ioc degradat ion and regenerat ion cycles have occurred on Zembra. Degradation of the climax vegeta t ion types by c u l t i v a t i o r , grazing, burnicg acd woodcutting encouraged invasion by more x e r i c spec ies and eliminated some l e s s x e r i c spec ies ( ~ n a n e 1977). The prolonged human a c t i v i t y resu l t ed i n the evolutkon of the present shrub communities acd the absence of oaks, which would otherwise be the climax f o r e s t type of the i s l and .

After 1900 a g r i c u l t u r e and population pressure decreased, but occasiooal f i r e s continued. A f t e r 1963 tourism began t o increase. By 1977 t o u r i s t use had only reached the lowest p a r t of the a l l u v i a l p l a t n , but the e f f e c t s were g rea t enough t o decrease speckes d ivers i ty . On s t e e p s lopes where the vegeta t ioo cover is inadequate, the erosion r a t e equals the s o i l formatioc r a t e . Human i n t e r f e r e n c e a c c e l e r a t e s the s o i l l o s s .

To p r o t e c t t h i s unique and i n t e r n a t i o c a l l y important n a t u r a l a rea t h e e c t i r e a rch ip i l ago and a 1.5 mile marice zone were designated a s T u n i s i a ' s f i r s t c a t i o c a l park and biosphere reserve i n 1977. Plans f o r tourism and p r o t s c t i o r acd echaccemect of the fauna and f l o r a were made, but very l i t t l e has beer implemected, l a r g e l y due t o the f a c t t h a t the i s l and was l a t e r placed under m i l i t a r y c o c t r o l .

3 . 2 . Kuria te

The Karia te i s l a c d s a r i two r e l a t i v e l y small emergences E-NE of Monastir and E-SE of Sfax. The main i s l a n d is aboxt 2.5 km long by 2 km wide, with an a rea of about 350 ha. I t l i e s 16 km from the mainland ( ~ o c a s t i r ) and 2 km from the smal le r i s l a n d . The small i s l and is ocly abodt 100 ha i n s i z e - much of which is i c t e r t i d a l f l a t s and lowland.

Liki t h i mairland a t Sousse, t o which the i s l a n d s were once connected, Kuriate i s formed of a limestone s u b s t r a t e o v e r l a i c by calcareous and sands to r i c r u s t s topped by a t h i n l a y e r of sand deposited by the sea. The i s lands are low and f l a t - always l e s s than 10 m ASL and usual ly only a few meters above sea l e v e l . The sea bottom s lopes very gradually away from the i s l a c d s and does not reach 50 m depth u n t i l more than 10 km o u t t o sea.

A . Vegetatioc

Approximately one-third of t h e main i s l a n d i a a low sebkhet-l ike depr i s s ioc with an o u t l e t t o the sea. The c e n t e r of the depression i s a few hec ta res of bare sand surrounded by a hao lph i le assoc ia t ion of Arthrocnemum acd Halocnemum. On higher ground, dominant p lan t s include:

N A S Limociastrum guyociacum Euphorbia p a r a l i a s P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c ~ s Frankexka sp C r a t a e g ~ s aza ro lus Tamarix sp.

B. Fauna

Kuria te is one of t h e t h r e e Tuniskan l o c a t i o n s (along with C a l i t e and emb bra) where t h e Maghreb subspecies of t h e european r a b b i t is found. The r a b b i t population is unknown, but s e v e r a l r a b b i t burrows were noted on an i c spec t ion of the main i s l a n d i n October, 1987. Rodents a l s o occur on t h e i s l a n d , but spec ies lists o r o t h e r r ecords were no t found by the author . Birds include sedentary s a r d i n i a n warblers , migra tory passer ines , such a s brambling, and most of t h e b i r d s recorded f o r t h e Gulf of Hammamet ( ~ e c t i o c 3.1.3).

C. Inf luences

There is a l ighthouse complex and a marabout on t h e ksland, which occupy some of t h e scarce h a b i t a t space, but t h e makn human caused i c f luence on t h e ecosystem appears t o be overgrazing by the l ighthouse keeper ' s sheep and goats . A l l of the Crataegus and many P i s t a c i a bushes a r e severe lv browsed and s tun ted . Some vege ta t ion c u t t i n g and c a ~ t u r e of - b i r d s acd r a b b i t s by the r e s i d e n t s a l s o seems l i k e l y . Erosion is- r e s u l t i c g i n s h o r e l i c e degradation t h a t may l ead t o s i g n s f i c a c t decreases i n surface a rea of t h i maic i s l a n d .

3.2.5. Kerkennah

The Kerkecnah archipelago l i e s 22 km e a s t of Sfax, a t the northern end of the Galf of Gabes. Two main i s l a n d s , I s l e Rharbi ("west 1sland") and I s l e Chergai ( " ~ a s t islandi') form a 22 km long s t r i p or iented NE-SW, p a r a l l e l t o t h e coas t . I s l e Rharbi i s t h e c l o s e s t t o t h e mainland with a micimnm d i s t a c c e of 21 km t o Rass Sfax.

I s l e Chergui i s the l a r g e s t i s l a n d , approximately 6400 ha including the low marshy a reas . I s l e Rharbi i s 5400 ha i n s i z e . Within two km of I s l e Chergui a r e 3 smal l i s l a n d s : I s l e Sefnou (80 ha) t o the NW, I s l e Roumedia (200 ha) t o the nor th m d I s l e Khermedi (250 ha) t o the e a s t . The archipelago i s on a shallow platform (van Di jk 1986) and a t low t i d e c.3600 ha of t i d a l f l a t s a r e exposed.

A l a r g e p l a i n once extended from Sfax t o beyond Kerkennah. The r i s i n g sea l e v e l flooded the lower a r e a s around Kerkennah and l e f t a low f l a t archipelago. Nei ther i s l a n d s r i s e s more than 50 m above sea l eve l . S teep banks occur i n some places , but most of t h e s h o r e l i n e recedes gen t ly i n t o the sea. The s e a bottom i s l e s s than 10 m deep f o r s e v e r a l k i lometers and does not reach 50 km depth u n t i l a minimum of 32 km from the i s l ands . Shallow waters l e s s than 50 m deep extend a s f a r a s 140 km from t h e coas t ( ~ a j a i and Zaarah 1981 ).

A l imestoce bedrock s u b s t r a t e is topped by s i l t y s o i l , .boulders and ca l i che , o r by sacd acd sandy c lay (Van Di jk 1986). I n t e r t i d a l a r e a s have sandy s a b s t r a t e s , o f t e c covered by o r mixed wi th s i l t o r clay.

A. Vegetation

Most of the high ground is dominated by uncul t ivated palm t r e e s Phoenix d a c t l i f e r a . Olives were c u l t i v a t e d on t h e i s l ands a s e a r l y a s the fifi+(Burollet 1927). Lygeum spartum grows beneath the palms i n gypsous a r e a s and the re a r e s c a t t e r e d l o c a t i o n s of- t r i p a r t i t u m , Juncus, P i tu ran thos to r tuosa , and s e v e r a l s p e c i e s of grasses and o ther annuals - a l l of which a r e heavi ly razed by goa t s and sheep. Many of t h e species of annual p l a n t s found on t h e i s l a n d of Jerba (Section 3.2.6) could a l s o be expected t o occur on Kerkennah. Depressions have a moderately dense ground cover o f :

NAS Limoniastrum guyonianum Frankenia s p . Zygophy llum album Lyceum europaeum Limonium sp.

NAS = North African Sahara Endemic

Shorel ines and sebkhets t h a t a r e f requen t ly inundated by seawater o f ten support halophi le a s s o c i a t i o n s charac te r ized by Ha1ocnem.m and Arthroccemum ( ~ a c Dijk 1986). I n t e r t i d a l a r e a s a r e o f ten covered by Cymodoecea meadows.

B. Fauna

Mamaals. The mammalian fauna of Kerkernah is r e l a t i v e l y poor. Many species have been eliminated by hunting pressure and l o s s of h a b i t a t t o c u l t i v a t i o n and overgrazing. Algerian hedgehogs, brown hares , b a t s and a v a r i e t y of rodents a r e s t i l l common on the i s l a n d s , but o the r spec ies a r e scarce.

B i r d s . A v a r i e t y of sedentary and migratory b i r d s have beer recorded - on Kerkennah. The l ack of high c l i f f s and dense f o r e s t cover r e s t r i c t s nes t ing b i r d s t o some ex ten t , but the long s t r e t c h e s of sandy beaches i n v i t e a number of shorebirds. Most shoreb i rds l i s t e d f o r the Gulf of Gabes ( s e c t i o n 3.1.4) a l s o occur on Kerkennah. Other species include:

Crane Great g r e y s h r i k e Blackbird Stone curlew Meadow p i p i t Skylark Barbary par t r idge White wagta i l Wood l a r k Palm dove Stonechat Crested l a r k Hoopoe Moussier's r e d s t a r t S t a r l i n g Swallou Robin Spo t less s t a r l i n g

Spanish sparrow

Vegetatioc under t h e palm t r e e s i s so overgrazed t h a t by autumn only sca t t e red unpalatable p lan t s remain. This l eaves the ground qu i te barren with l i t t l e cover f o r fauna. Cul t iva t ion i c f l u e n c e s the fauna and f l o r a near the c i t i e s . Vegetables a r e grow. where t h e s a l i n i t y l e v e l of the s o i l i s low and the re a r e many orchards and o l i v e groves. Residects f a r t h e r a f f e c t the f l o r a by c o l l e c t i n g v e g e t a t i o c f o r f u e l acd fodder.

Fishermen cons t ruc t long ba r r i cades made of wooden poles on the k n t e r t i d a l f l a t s t o d i r e c t f i s h i n t o t r a p s and many people walk on the i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s t o c o l l e c t mussels and o t h e r seafood. These a c t i v i t i e s a f f e c t more than t h e spec ies c o l l e c t e d ; vege ta t ion i s a l s o trampled.

Large amounts of land a r e occupied by seven c i t i e s , roads and garbage dumps. Severa l cemetaries e x i s t , which have a p o s i t i v e inf luence on t h e na t ive vegeta t ion by providing a r e a s r e l a t i v e l y f r e e from disturbance.

Severa l t o u r i s t h o t e l s have been cons t ruc ted and a l a rge s e c t i o n of beach is heav i ly used i n t h e summer by t o u r i s t s . The i n t e n s i v e concentra t ion i n one a r e a could a c c e l e r a t e ecosystem degeneration i n t h e tourism zone i f proper management p r a c t i c e s a r e no t followed. However, concentra t ing t o u r i s t use i n one a r e a does l e s s e n tmpacts on the r e s t of t h e i s l a n d .

3.2.6. Kneiss

A former c o a s t l i n e and e s t u a r y were washed away by t h e pos t -g lac ia l r i s e i n sea l e v e l , leaving t h e Kneiss i s l a n d s and i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s (van Dijk 1986). The Knekss i s l a n d s a r e 57 km s t r a i g h t l i n e d i s t ance from both Sfax and Gabes. The main i s l a n d is about 1.5 km from the mainland proper , but due t o t h e shallow water , low t f d e s expose much of the area between t h e i s l a n d and t h e coas t . Kneiss is p a r t of t h e l a r g e i n t e r t i d a l complex of t h e Gulf of Gabes ( s e c t i o n 3.1.4).

Kneiss i s composed of a main i s l a n d ( ~ z i r a t e l ~ e s s i l a ) of 650 ha and a row of four smal ler i s l e t s t o t h e south. The smal l i s l e t s , named Dzi ra t e l Hajar, DzTrat e l Laboua and E l J a z i r a t e l Rharbia (2 i s l e t s ) each have an area of 1 t o 2 ha. A l l f i v e i s l e t s a r e f l a t and low. A l imestone base i s o f t e c bordered by sandy beaches with rocks and pebbles mixed i n o r on top. Adjacent i n t e r t i d a l a r e a s may have s e v e r a l l a y e r s of sand and sediments.

A . Vegetation

Tides have a g r e a t e f f e c t on t h e vegeta tson of Kneiss. Even on the h igher ground, where t i d a l waters seldom reach, s e a spray keeps t h e environment s a l i n e enough t o encourage a predominance of halophi le vegeta t ion. ~alocnemum~strobilaceum-and ~ a l i m o n e p o r t u l a c o i d ~ s with some Spar t ina sp. dominates hkgh ground vege ta t ion . In land on the main ks land, Arthrocnemum, Suaeda and some s p e c i e s of herbaceous p l a n t s s i m i l a r t o those found i n ha loph i l e a s s o c t a t i o n s on t h e mainland, a r e l i k e l y t o occur. .On t h e i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s , Zostera n o l t i i forms extensive meadows.

B. Fauna

Mammals. The smal l skze and h a l o p h i l e vege ta t ion of Kneiss severe ly r e s t r i c t s t h e spec ies of mammals t h a t can i n h a b i t t h e i s l ands . Sand r a t s have been recorded (van Di jk 1986) and some o t h e r rodects probably occur, ba t permanently res id ing l a r g e mammals a r e absent .

Birds. Kneiss is such an important p a r t of the Gulf of Gabes c o a s t a l ' - complex t h a t v i r t u a l l y a l l of the waders and waterfowl recorded i n s e c t i o n 3.1.4 a r e found on o r around the Kneias i s l a n d s . Passer ines , nes t ing and threatened spec ies include:

n L i t t l e e g r e t n Redshank n Slender-bil led g u l l n Common t e r n n L i t t l e t e r n t White s to rk t Slender-bil led curlew t Peregr ine

Marsh h a r r i e r Lesser short-toed l a r k Skylark Meadow pipkt Water p i p i t White wagtai l Fan-tailed warbler Spectacled warbler

t = Threatened Species r = Nesticg Birds

C. Icf luences

Human i c f l u e c c e s on Kneiss da te back t o t h e Roman empire, a s evidenced by r a i c s and a r t i f a c t s oc each of the i s l a n d s . Currently the main i s l a n d i s inhabi ted by temporary r e s i d e n t s who f i s h and c o l l e c t carpet s h e l l s Venerupis decassata and V. aurea. Residents from v i l l a g e s on the mainland a l s o f i s h and c o l l e c t b ivalves i n t h e area . Ic the sp r ing of 1984 t h e r e wera 80 - 100 peopla c o l l e c t i n g bivalves i n the a rea (van Dijk 1986). The e x p l o i t a t i o c a f f a c t s the food sourca of many spec ies of fauna ( e s p e c i a l l y ~ ~ s t e r c a t c h e r s ) , d i s r u p t s the vegeta t ion cover and may d i s t u r b b i r d s dur icg the c e s t i c g seasoc.

3.2.6. Jerba

A t t he south end of the Gulf of Gabes l i e s Je rba , Tunis ia ' s l a r g e s t i s l a c d . Jerba a c d the circumjerbian i s l a n d s a r e the c l o s e s t archipelago t o the maiclacd. A t the c l o s e s t point Jerba 2s only 2 k m from Rass e l Djerf acd a t t h 2 soa theas t point a 7 km bridge connects Jerba t o t h e mainland. Jerba is 58 km E-SE of Gabes and 23 km N-NW of Zarzis.

Roughly 30 km long by 20 km wide, Jerba covers 50,000 ha with an a d d i t i o n a l 3000 ha of c o a s t a l marsh and i n t e r t i d a l zones. The 3 l a r g e s t of the circumjerbian i s l a n d s , D j i l l i d j , Adjsm and Djorf, a r e on the south s i d e , between Jerba and the coast . Although the l a r g e s t of the circumjerbiac i s l a n d s have only a few hundred hec ta res of high ground each, the re a r e many smal ler i s l a n d s and low marshy a reas which t o t a l 3500 t o 4000 ha (0lney 1965).

There a r e c l i f f s 2 - 10 m high of f r i a b l e sandstone and limestone aroucd Jerba (Var Barghen 1977). In land , above sandstoce and limestone c r a s t s a r e sacdy, o f t e c s i l t y s o i l s with many gypsous locat ions . The land gec t ly anda la tes a t aboat 10 m above sea l e v e l and drops to coas ta l lagoons, sebkhats acd dune a reas along t h i coas t . Dines a re gecera l ly u c s t a b l i acd form l i t t o r a l bands 30 - 100 m wide. Behicd those dunes i s a complix of s t a b l e , o r ' f i x e d ' , dunes t h a t were vegetated locg ago.

A. Vegetation

Most of Je rba has been c u l t i v a t e d t o d a t e palms, o l i v e s , var ious f r u i t t r e e s and vegetables . The r e s t is s o overgrazed t h a t only a poor r e p r e s e n t a t i o c of the n a t i v e vege ta t ion remains. In land , on the h igher ground, a group of n i t r o p h i l i c s p e c i e s is found. Thoae spec ies include Malva p a r v i f l o r a , Aizoon hispanicum and Peganum hannala. Around the a r e a s - of n i t r o p h i l i c s p e c i e s a r e warmer l o c a t i o n s wi th 5460 ha characterkzed by a ~ i t u r a n t h o s t o r t u o s a and Haplophgllum venn icu la ta a s s o c i a t i o n ( ~ u ~ h o r b i a e e r r a t a v a r i a n m ha with an Artemesia herba-alba and Arthrophytum scoparium a s s o c i a t i o n ( ~ y m n o c a r ~ o s decander sub a s s o c i a t i o n , Asphodelis microcarpos v a r i a n t ) and 34,000 ha charac te r i eed by an A. microcarpus v a r i a n t of t h e Zarz i s peninsula a s s o c i a t i o n ( ~ e Houerou and Froment 1969).

Van Berghen (1977) noted two major a s soc ia tkons on t h e dunes between Bordj K a s t i l and Bordj D j e l l i d j composed of 32 spec ies : one on t h e low dunes charac t s r i zed by Agropyron farctum and t h e o t h e r on the high dunes, character ized by Ammophila a renar ia . Annuals compose 56% of the vege te t ioc .

Oc the wsst and nor th s i d e s of Jerba t h e r e a r e c o a s t a l dunes vegetated by spsc ies groaps character ized by A. a r e n a r i a and Agropyrum unceum o r Cakile maritima ar.d Medicago m a r i n a 7 ~ e Houerou and Proment ;*Where the dune sands a r e more sa lkne, such a s i n t h e northwest corner and on t h e e a s t s i d e of Je rba , a gypso-halophile a s soc ia tkon of N i t r a r i a r e t u s a , Suaeda vsrmicula ta and S a l s o l a s i e b e r i v a r v e s c e r i t e n s i s i s found. I n t h e depress iocs betwsec t h e dunes t h e r e a r e 6 major p l a n t a s soc ia t ions compossd of 83 s p e c i e s (van Bsrghsn 1979):

1. A s i n g l e s p e c i e s aqua t i c a s s o c i a t i o n (water 1-4 m deep) of Ruppia c i r r h o s a v a r drepansis .

2. A p ionser community on wet sands with R i e l l a n o t a r i s s i and some Chare vu lga r i s .

3. Very open cover with Limonium tunetanurn and Aeluropus lagopoides. 4. Alocg depress ion edges, Juncus maritimus v a r a rab ius occurs. 5. A Schoenus nigrans a s s o c i a t i o n on water-holding subs t ra tes . 6. A pioneer cornmucity with Frankenia pulverulenta .

Along t h e coas t a r e found:

Halocnemum etrobilaceum Juncus maritimus Limoniastrum guyonianum At r ip lex halimus Zygophyllum album Limoniurn ep. Tamarix a f r i c a n a ( spa r se )

Rare p l a c t s include Peganum h a m a l a va r . garamanteum.

Mammals. Nary fox have been re leased on Je rba by depar t ing t o u r i s t s who p ~ r z h a s e d fox k i t s and found t h a t they were unable t o take them ou t of the coact ry . The i n t r o d x e d fox a r e now s o numerous t h a t they have v i r t a a l l y el irnicated barbary p a r t r i d g e from t h e i s l a n d (A. Abed, pers. corn). Brom hares were s i m i l a r i l y i c t rodaced by t o u r i s t s , but have been

overhunted end almost el iminated. Other reported spec ies include:

Fennec fox Le r o t Shaw' s j i r d Gerbi l

Fennecus zerda

Birds. A l a r g e proportion of the waders and waterfowl l i s t e d f o r the - Gulf of Gabes (Sect ion 3.1.4) can be seen a t the i n t e r t i d a l f l a t s of Jerba. T u r t l e doves and cranes a r e a l s o repor ted t o use the is land. Some of the upland b i r d s observed i n November 1987 include:

Marsh h a r r i e r Rock dove Hoopoe Great grey shr ike

Sardinian warbler Stonechat Raven

C. Inf luences

Almost a l l of the upland a rea of Jerba i s c u l t i v a t e d o r developed, leaving l i t t l e land f o r n a t u r a l vegetatkon a s s o c i a t i o n s or animal h a b i t a t . In tense c u l t i v a t i o n has a l s o resu l t ed i n wfnd eros ion and soma dune formation. Hotel const ruct ion destroyed f r a g i l e vege ta t ioc cover and resu l t ed i n wind e ros ioc i n s e v e r a l l o c a t i o c s (van Berghic 1977).

3.3. WETLANDS

I n t h i s docamect the term 'wetland' r e f e r s t o permanent and temporary f r e s h o r brackish water bodies and t h e i r ad jacen t f loodpla in o r zone of inf luence. Th i s inc ludes a l l in land r i v e r s and water bodies, c o a s t a l s a l t l akes and marine l akes , ( f i g u r e 6 ) but excludes the Mediterranean coas t , which i s described i n Sect ion 3.1. Tun i s ia h a s more than 100 permanent and temporary wetlands, many of which a r e of i n t e r n a t i o n a l importance. Host of t h e wetlands a r e i n the nor the rn h a l f of the country, e s p e c i a l l y near the c o a s t , and the re i s a f a i r i n t e r s p e r s i o n almost everywhere but i n the Sahara.

Wstlands permit a v a r i e t y of p l a n t s p e c i e s t o grow i n ecosystems t h a t a r e otherwise o f t e n somewhat homoganous - e s p e c i a l l y i n the steppes. Numerous i n v e r t e b r a t e s , r e p t i l e s , amphibians, b i r d s and mammals take advantage of the cover and n u t r i t i o c a l p roduc t iv i ty of wetlands. Each year mora than 75,000 flamingos, 400,000 a n a t i d s of many species , and 250,000 coots and moorhens use ~ u n i s i a ' s wetlands f o r nes t ing , migration r e s t s t o p s o r wic te r ing l o c a t i o n s (Dir . Env. 1977). Macy spsc ies of r a r e and endemic p l a n t s and animals a r e a l s o found a t wetlands.

Unfortunately, many of T u n i s i a ' s wetlands a r e being det r imenta l ly influencad by i n d u s t r i a l complexes, urbac expansion, a g r i c u l t u r a l developmsnt p r o j e c t s (dams, d ra inage) , p e s t i c i d e use , hunting pressure , po l lu t ion and d e s s i c a t i o n (Dir . Env. 1977). The Tunisian government has taken s t e p s t o p r o t e c t some of the p r i n c i p a l s i t e s by c rea t ing permanent r e ss rves and n a t i o n a l parks ( ~ e c t i o c 5.4). Howaver, the mers des ignat ion of protected a r e a s i s o f t e n i n s u f f i c i a n t i n the face of heavy population and economic p ressures , a s evidenced by the f i l l i n g of Lake Tunis (see 3.3.1.3).

The f a c t o r s t h a t wetlands a r e most s e c s i t i v a t o inclade:

A c t i v i t i e s a f f e c t i n g water l e v e l s Upstream dams Draining of marshland f o r c u l t i v a t i o n

Changes i n water q u a l i t y Abnormal i n p u t s of seawater o r s a l i n e runoff Chemical p o l l u t a n t s - h e r b i c i d e s , sewage, chemical waste

Actions reducing wetland a r e a s Cul t iva t ion of edge zones Adjacent urban development F i l l i n g and c o n s t r u c t i o n

F i g u r e 6

Wetlands of T u n i s i a

nediterranean .. ..- Se

1 . Lake 1chkeul

2 . Lake B i z e r t e

3. Lake Tunis

4 . Lake Monas t i r

. 5. Monast ir S a l i n e s

6. Thyna S a l t Ponds

7 . Bah i r e t e l Bibant

8 . Sebkhet Ar iana

9. Skt . Sedjoumi

10. Sk t . Kourzia

11. Skt . Kelb ia

12. Sk t . S i d i e l Han:

13. Skt . e l Djem

14. Sk t s . S i d i Hanso and En Noual

15. J e f f a r a Complex

16. Sk t . e l G u e t t a r

17. Skt . e l Hamma

18. Chott F e j i j

19. Chott J e r i d

20. Chott E l Gharsa

21. Kebili Lakes

A. Lake Chitane

B. Lake e l F i e 1

C . Lake Zerkine

D. Oued Essed Poo l s

E. Dar Fatma Bog

3.3.1 . Harkne Lakes and Lagoons

3.3.1.1. Lake Ichkeul 37'10'N g 0 4 0 ' E

Ichkeul i s a permanent, brackish l a k e i n t h e p l a i n of Mateur a t t h e n o r t h end of Tunfsia. The l a k e i s 20 km southwest of B ize r t e and 60 km N- NW of Tunis. During summer, when t h e water l e v e l is low, Lake Ichkeul has an a rea of about 8500 ha and i s surrounded by 2737 ha of marshes (El- Ghezal 1982). After win te r r a i n s r a i s e t h e water l e v e l , t h e su r face a r e a i s about 10,000 ha.

A t i t s h ighes t winter l e v e l , t h e maximum l a k e depth is only 3.7 m. Summertime depth i s u s u a l l y around 1.5 m. The shallow depth and low s lop ing s i d e s r e s u l t i n t h e d r a s t i c seasona l changes i n su r face area . On t h e south s i d e of the l ake i s Djebel I chkeu l ( s e e Sec t ion 3.4.1.6), which r i s e s t o 508 m a l t i t u d e . Five perma e n t r i v i r s and seve a 1 temporary 9 streams, d ra in ing a bas in of 2089 km feed 335 m i l l i o n mf of water annual ly i n t o Lake Ichkeul ( ~ 1 - ~ h e z a l 1982). The propor t ioc of i c p u t , by r i v e r , i s Sejnane 30$, Joumine 489, Melah 12%, Ghezala 3% and Doumis 3%.

Alocg with f r e s h water, t h e r i v e r s a l s o c a r r y a c average of one mi l l ion cubic meters of sediments from e ros ion i n t o the lake . gbout 75% of the sediments a r e evacuated by Oued T i n j a , l eav ing 250,000 m of sediments t o s e t t l e on t h e l ake bottom. The e f f e c t s of t h i s high r a t e of sedimentation a r e i l l u s t r a t e d by t h e f a c t t h a t dur ing Carthaginiac t imes t h e l ake had an a rea of 30,000 ha and completely surroanded Djebel Ichkeul . Today only one t h i r d of t h a t a r e a remains a s opec water, a l l t o t h e nor th of D j . Ichkeul ( ~ 1 - ~ h e z a l 1982).

Oued T i n j a connects Lake Ichkeu l t o Lake B i z e r t e , which is connected t o t h e sea . I n the summer, when t h e water l e v e l drops due t o evapora t io r and decreased i n p u t , s a l t water f lows i n t o Lake Ichkeul v ia Oued T ic ja .

A. Vagetatioc

The vege ta t ion of Lake Ichkeu l and t h e surrounding mershes is i n t e r s p e r s e d and va r ied , but t h e r e i s a genera l p a t t e r n of vegeta t ion types r a d i a t i n g out from t h e c e n t e r of t h e l ake . I c t h e open water Potamogeton pec t ina tus dominates t h e submergent vege ta t ion , e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e west end where i t is an important food source f o r waterfowl. Another submergent common kn winter is Zann iche l l i a p a l u s t r i s . Enteromorpha i n t e s t i n a l i s , Chara sp., Ruppia marit ima and C a l l i t r i c h e p a l u s t r i s a r e common summer spec ies ( ~ o r ~ a n 1982; Zouali 1975).

A t t h e edge of t h e l ake , bands of reeds P h r a p i t e s t h e l ake from t h e marshes and s h o r e l i n e . Beyond t h e reeds , Sci rpus maritimus, ,& and Juncus subu la tus dominate the marshes. Typha a n g u s t i f o l i a grows along channels through t h e marshes, whose higher banks a r e f r inged by Tamarix a f r i cana . I n s a l t i e r l o c a t i o n s Sa l i co rn ia a rab ica and Suaeda maritima dominate h a l o p h i l e a s s o c i a t i o r s . O r higher groand, Hordeam maritimum, Lolium m u l t i f l o r > m , Daucus c a r o t a , Nerium oleacder and Zizyphas l o t u s appear. More complete v e g e t a t i o r informat ior i s givec i r UCL 1977, Morgan 1982 and I U C N 1987.

Rare Species. The marshes of Lake Ichkeul a r e one of the few s i t e s i n Tunisia where the r a r e Ranunculus ophioglossum and Sparuanium erectum have' beer recorded.

B. Fauca

Mammals. Many of t h e mammals t h a t i n h a b i t Djebel Ichkeul descend i n t o t h e marshes t o feed. Algerian hedgehog, f o u r spec ies of ba t h hi no lo hus ferrum-equinum, R. euryale , Myotis myotis, Minopterus e c h r e i b e r s i i -7- Egyptiac mongoose, jackal , red fox, brown hare , rodents (Jaculus o r i e n t a l i s and o t h e r s ) and wild boar a r e among t h e mammals recorded a t lake Ichkaul (UCL 1977). O t t e r s Lu t ra l u t r a a r e a r a r e epecies i n Tunis ia t h a t a l s o use the Lake Ichkeul marshes. A emall , eemi-wild herd of buffa lo Bubalis buba l i s has become e s t a b l b h e d a f t e r re- in t roduct ion i n the 1 9 7 0 x ~ e c t i o n 2.4, ~ a u n a ) .

Birds. Lake Ichkeul i s t h e most important s i n g l e wetland f o r b i r d s i n North Africa (ca rp 1980) and one of t h e most important s i t e s i n t h e e n t i r e Mediterranean region (IUCN 1987). Approximately 4% of the known world popala t ioc of t h e r a r e white-headed duck were observed a t Ichkeul i n May, 1977 (UCL 1977) and they have been known t o breed t h e r e i n the pas t ( c a r p 1980). The laka i s a l s o a t r a d i t i o n a l n e s t i n g s k t e f o r the threatened marblad t e a l acd macy o t h e r b i r d s ( s e e f i g u r e 7) .

Migraticg b i r d s use t h e l a k e ex tens ive ly s i n c e i t i s one of the l a s t renaic icg f reshwater ( s a l i n i t y i s < 5 g / l i n winter) l a k e s i n North Africa. A t t he peak of t h e win te r migra t ion 150,000 t o 200,000 ducks and coots acd 5,000 t o 7,000 greylag geese a r e p resen t ( c a r p 1980) a long wi th thousands of waders. The high aumbers of win te r ing wigeon (39,000) shoveler (6,500) and pochard ( 1 20,000) a r e of i n t e r n a t i o n a l importance based oc tha Heil igenhafen c r i t e r i a gr organ 1982). Greylag goose and pochard cumbers a r e the h ighes t f o r winter ing popula t ions i n t h e Maghreb (IUCI? 1987). Hore than 200 bi rd spec ies have been recorded f o r Djebel and Lake Ichkeul. The most comprehensive b i rd l i s t ( sk inner 1986) inc ludes b i rds fomd both oc t h e rnouctain and a t t h e l ake , and s i n c e many of t h e moactaic spec ies descend t o t h e marsh edges t o feed and dr ink, t h e e n t i r e l i s t i s r iprodacid i n f i g u r e 7.

I c v e r t e b r a t e s . The s a l i n i t y l e v e l l i m i t s t h e i n v e r t e b r a t e fauna of the lake t o s a l t t o l e r a n t spec ies and r e s t r i c t s t h e l e s s t o l e r a n t s p e c i e s t o t h e marshes. Although t h e number of recorded i n v e r t e b r a t e spec ies is only aroacd 26 (UCL 1977), t h e dominant s p e c i e s a r e present in l a r g e numbers. I n the open waters of t h e i n f r a l i t t o r a l zone, zooplankton such a s Copepoda and dense Mysidacea ( ~ r u s t a c e a ) a r e found, along with i n v e r t e b r a t e s such a s

Amaledia: Nereis d i v e r s i c o l o r Merciere l la enigmatica

Cr is tacea: Sphaeroma hookeri Idothea b a l t h i c a , Gammarus aequicauda Corophium v o l u t a t o r

C. acherusicum

Moll.isca: Hydrobia vec t rosa Abra t e r n i s

Cerastoderma glaucum

t h e number of spec ies ( z o u a l i 1975) is h i g h e s t a t t h e east end (20) and lowest a t t h e west end (5) . The m e d t o l i t t o r a l eone conta ins dense Potamogeton beds t h a t have abundant i n v e r t e b r a t e populations and are important feeding a r e a s f o r f i s h and waterfowl. Dominant species include:

Hydrobia ventrosa Sphaeroma hookeri

Nere5s d ive r s f co lo r Ido thea vkr idks

I n t h e waters of t h e i n f r a l i t t o r a l eone (marsh edge), f l u c t u a t i o n s i n water l e v e l , temperature and s a l i m i t y are unfavorable f o r &ver tebra te popula t ions ( z o u a l i 1975). However, t h e Djoumine marsh has f reshwater channels t h a t con ta in the r i c h e s t and most d i v e r s e aqua t i c fauna b t h e a r e a (UCL 1977). C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s p e c i e s knclude d ragonf l i e s , a l d e r f l i e s S i a l i s sp., Corixid water bugs, wa te r scorp ions Nepa sp., Dytiscid water b e e t l e s , c rus taceans ( ~ s s e l l u s ) , f reshwate r molluscs Limnea sp., flatworms T u r b e l l a r i a sp. and o t h e r f reshwater s p e c i e s n o t found i n the lake o r acywhere e l s e i n t h e a rea i n such abundance.

Fish. Severa l spec ies of f i s h a r e e x p l o i t e d by commercial fishermen - a t Ousd T in ja ( z o a a l i 1975); these inc lude :

Anguil la a n g u i l l a Mugil cephalus Dicentrarchus l ab rax M. ramada Barbas barbus Solea s o l e a Alosa f a l l a x Aphanhs fasciatus Syngnathus a b a s t e r Engrau l i s encras icholus

Herpitofauna. The d i s t r i b u t i o n of r e p t i l e s and amphibians is inf luenced by t h s water l e v e l and s a l i n s t y i n t h e l a k e s and marshes. Dominant spec ies and t h e i r h a b i t a t types a r e :

5 Rana ridibunda 1 Malpolon monspessalanus 1.2 Bafo v i r i d i s 1 , 3 , 4 Na t r ix maura

4 B. bufo 2,4 Discoglossus p2ctus 2,4 B. maaritan2cus 2 ,3 ,4 Clemmys leprosa

1 Lacer ta o c e l l a t a 4 Emys o r b i c u l a r i s

1 = upper marsh 3 = brack i sh water 5 = A l l 4 h a b i t a t s 2 = lower marsh 4 = f r e s h water

C. In f luences

Although Lake Ichkeul is included En Ichkeu l Nat ional Park, human in f luences a r e s t i l l a f f e c t i n g t h e t h e environment. The marshes a r e overgrazeed by c a t t l e t o t h e po in t t h a t t h e b u f f a l o become malnourished (IUCN 1987); f i s h i n g is still done a t Oued T i n j a and sometimes i n t h e lake; aod occas ional poaching occurs. Non-marsh a r e a s around t h e l ake a r e c u l t i v a t e d and runoff water from t h e f i e l d s con ta in sediments and poss ib ly chemical p o l l u t a n t s .

A caca l was dag through t h e Djoumine marsh by t h e Rural Works department. The Rural works department does no t consider the canal necessary , but so f a r no a c t i o n has been taken t o f i l l t h e canal. A s water d r a i n s from the marsh i n t o t h e c a n a l , t h e vege ta t ion composition changes acd t h e h a b i t a t value f o r waterfowl decreases .

Figure 7

Birds of I chkeu l (from Skinner 1986)

n L i t t l e grebe n Great created grebe

Black-necked grebe Cormorant B t t t e r n

n Least b i t t e r n n Night heron

Squacco heron C a t t l e e g r e t L i t t l e e g r e t Great white heron

r! Grey heron n Purple heron

Black s t o r k t White s t o r k

Glossy i b i s Spoonbi l l Greater flamingo Swar. spp. Bear. goose White-fronted goose Griylag goose Bar-headed goose Scow goose Barnacle goose Raddy sheldack Shelduck Wigeon Teal Mallard P i n t a i l Garganey Shoveler

t Marbled t e a l Red-crested pochard Pochard

n Ferrugirous duck Tilfted duck

t n White-headed duck

n Black-winged a t i l t Tawny p i p i t Avocet Tree pip2t Stone curlew Weadow p i p i t

n P r a t i n c o l e Red-throated p i p i t L i t t l e r inged p lover Water pkpi t Ringed p lover n Yellow wagtail

n Kent ish plover Grey wagta i l D o t t e r e l White wagtail Golden plover Bulbal Grey plover Wren Lapwing Dun~ack L i t t l e s t i n t Alpine accentor Temminck' s s t i n t n Rafoas bashchat Sander l ing Robir. Curlew sandpiper n Nightingale Dunlin Blaethroat Ruff Black r e d s t a r t Jack sn ipe Redstar t Snipe Moussier' s r e d s t a r t Great s c i p e Whicchat Bar - t a i l ed godwit Stonechat Black- ta i led godwi t 1sabel l i r .e wheatear Curlew Commoc wheatear Whimbrel Black-eared wheatear Spot ted redshank Black wheatear Redshank Blue rockthrush Greenshank Ring ouzel Harsh sandpiper Blackbird Green sandpiper Song thrush Wood sandpiper Redwirg Common sandpiper Mistli thrush Mediterranean g u l l C e t t i ' s warbler L i t t l e g u l l n Fan-tailed warbler Black-headed g u l l n S a v i ' s warbler Slender-bi l led g u l l n Moustached warbler Lesser b lack back Sedge warbler Herring g u l l n Reed warbler Gul l -b i l l ed t e r n n Great reed warbler Caspian t e r n n Olivaceous warbler

Figu re 7 ( c o n t i n u e d )

Honey buzzard Black k i t e Egypt ian v u l t u r e G r i f f o n v u l t u r e Shor t - toed e a g l e

n Marsh h a r r i e r Hen h a r r i e r P a l l i d h a r r i e r Moataga's h a r r i a r Sparrowhawk Buzzard Long-legged buzzard Golden e a g l e Tawny e a g l e Bootad e a g l e B o c e l l i ' s e a g l e Osprey K e s t r e l Red-footed f a l c o n Mer l i c Hobby E l e o n o r a ' s f a l c o n Lacner f a l c o n Saker f a l c o n

t P e r e g r i c e n Barbary p a r t r i d g e n Q u a i l

Water r a i l n Spo t t ed c r ake

B a i l l o n ' s c rake Corncrake

n Moorhen n P u r p l e g a l l i n u l e n Coot

Andalusian hemipode Crane

Sandwich t e r n n L i t t l e t e r n

Whiskered t e r n Black t e r r , White-winged b. t e r n B.-bel l ied sandgroase Rock dove Stock dove T u r t l e dove Palm dove Cuckoo s c o p s owl Ba r r owl Eagle owl L i t t l e owl Shor t -eared owl N i g h t j a r S w i f t P a l l i d s w i f t Alp ine s w i f t K i n g f i s h e r

n Bee e a t e r R o l l e r Hoopoe Wryneck Calacdra l a r k

n Lessa r sho r t - t oed l a r k n Shor t - toed l a r k

Thekla l a r k n Cres ted l a r k

Sky la rk n Sand m a r t i n

Crag m a r t i n Swallow House m a r t i n Raven

I c t e r i c e warb l e r Melodeoas warb l e r Marmora' s warb l e r Dar t fo rd warbler Spec t ac l ed warb l e r Subalp ine warb l e r S a r d i n i a n warb l e r Orphear warb l e r Whi te throa t Blackcap Gardec warbler B o n e l l i ' s wa rb l e r Wood warbler Chif f c h a f f Willow warbler Go ldc re s t F i r e c r e s t Spot ted f l y c a t c h e r Col la red f l y c a t c h e r P ied f l y c a t c h e r Blue tit G o l d e ~ o rko le Bush s h r i k e Grea t grey s h r i k e Woodchat s h r i k e

c Corr b x t i c g Reed bunt ing Hawf i c c h Licne t Goldf icch G r i i c f i ~ c h S z r i c Cha f f i cch Rock sparrow Spac i sh sparrow S t a r l i n g S p o t l e s s s t a r l i c g

n Nes t ing B i r d s t Threatened S p e c i e s

By f a r t h e most s e r i o u s problem t h r e a t e n i n g Lake I chkeu l i s a series of 6 dams be ing c o n s t r u c t e d on a l l 5 of t h e main r i v e r s f lowing i n t o t h e lake . The dams w i l l s e v e r e l y reduce t h e f r e s h w a t e r i n p u t t o t h e l a k e , r e s u l t i c g ic lower summer water l e v e l s and i n c r e a s e d i n f l u x e s of seawater . S i g n i f i c a n t i n c r e a s e s ic s a l i n i t y w i l l k i l l o f f much of t h e Potamogeton and S c i r p u s t h a t c u r r e n t l y a t t r a c t waterfowl. I f no m i t i g a t i o n a c t i o n s a r e taken , t h e h a b i t a t va lue w i l l d rop s h a r p l y , w i th s e r i o u s r a m i f i c a t i o n s f o r macy s p e c i e s of b i r d s and t h e n a t u r a l i n t e g r e t y of t h e n a t i o n a l park.

H o l l i s ( 1986) recommended f i v e p o s s i b l e schemes f o r a m e l i o r a t i n g t h e e f f e c t s of t h e dams. None of t h e a c t i o n s h a s been due t o i n d e c i s i o n by responsable a g e n t s and a l a c k of f i n a n c e s f o r t h e p r o j e c t s . The recommended a c t i o n s i n c l u d e f i l l i n g t h e Djoumine marsh; i n s t a l l i n g a w e i r o r s l a i c e a t Oued T i n j a t o c o n t r o l wa te r f low; b u i l d i n g dykes t o reduce t h e a r e a of t h e l a k e , t h u s reducing s a l i n i t y ; and r e s e r v o i r r e l e a s e s when t h e l a k e is below 10 cm ASL.

- 3.3.1.2. Lake B i z e r t e

Lake B i z e r t e i s cocnected t o , and l i e s n o r t h e a s t o f , Lake I chkeu l . The l a k e a r e a i s a b o a t 13,000 ha and f l u c t u a t e s s l i g h t l y wi th t h e t i d e s . Water i c Lake B i z e r t e i s s a l i n e , b u t d u r i n g w i n t e r and s p r i n g , w a t e r e n t e r i e g from Lake I chkeu l through Oued T i n j a lowers t h e s a l i n i t y t o s l i g h t l y l e s s t h a c t h a t of s eawa te r (35 g / l ) . A t i t s deepes t po2ct t h e l ake i s 12 m deep and most of t h e l a k e i s deepe r t h a c 2 m. The a d j a c e n t t e r r a i r i s g e c t l y a n d u l a t i n g wi th a low marsh on t h e e a s t s i d e .

A. V e g e t a t i o c

Most of t h e s h o r e l i n e has been c u l t i v a t e d o r developed. I n t h e marsh a t t he e a s t s i d i t h e p a r t s t h a t have n o t been c u l t i v a t e d o r developed suppor t h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n . Marine f l o r a t o t a l s 145 s p e c i e s ( ~ a o u l i 1980). The number of s p e c i e s d e c r e a s e s c l o s e t o Oued T i n j a due t o t h e lower s a l i c i t y , bat marine Phacerogames such a s Z o s t e r a marina and Ruppia maritime cac be foacd . Other marine Phanerogames growing i n t h e l a k e i cc lude Zos t e r a c o l t i i betweec 0.5 m and 1 m deep ( e s p e c i a l l y on t h e n o r t h side) end Cymodocea codosa a t d a p t h s between 1 and 2 m. Algaes found i n the sha l low w a t e r s i n c l u d e :

Chlorophyceaes : Ulva l a c t u c a Entermorpha compressa Chaetomorpha linum ( r a r e ) Cladophora p r o l i f e r a ( r a r e ) C. l a e t e v i r e c s Caalerpa p r o l i f e r a

Pheophyceaes: C y s t o s k i r s a b m t a c i f o l i a D i c t y o t a a b r o t a n i f o l i a D i c t y ~ p t e r i s po lupodio ides Pad ica pavor ia ( r a r e )

Rhodophyceaes: Lithohamnium f ru t i cu losum L. lenormandi J a n i a rubens ( r a r e ) C o r r a l i n a o f f i c i n a l i s Laurenc ia p a p i l l o s a ( r a r e ) G r a c i l a r i a con fe rvo ides ( r a r e ) Pos idon ia oceanica A c e t a l b u l a r i a medi te r ranea Halimedia t una

B. Fauna

Mammals. Red fox , j a c k a l , brown hare , Algerfan hedgehog, and Egyptian mongoose a r e l i k e l y t o be found i n t h e a rea . Bernard (1969) reported t h e presence of s e v e r a l rodents such a s Shawls j i r d , g e r b i l Gerb i l lus campestris and f i e l d mouse Apodemus s y l v a t i c u s i n the a rea .

Birds. The l a k e is too deep f o r extensive b i r d use , such a s t h a t - which occurs a t Lake Ichkeul. Many of the s p e c i e s of waders, t e r n s and galls t h a t use Ichkeul a l s o occur i n smal le r numbers a t Lake Bizer te . Species noted on t h e e a s t a i d e of t h e l a k e 3n August 1987 inc lude h e r r i n g g u l l , white-winged black t e r n , l i t t l e e g r e t and swallow.

Marice Fauna. The marine fauna, a s reported by Zaouli (1980), cons i s t s o f :

Sponges: S u b e r i t e s domunicula

Polychetes: Nereis d i v e r s i c o l o r

C l a t h r i a c o r a l l o i d e s P e r e n e r e i s c u l t r i f e r a Leuconia aspera Hermioce h y s t r i x

Amphytechne auricoma Cnidai res : Sabe l l a pavonia Anemonia s u l c a t a Ficopomatas enigmaticus Bunodactis verrucosa Hydroides e legans

H. dirampha Vermf l i o p s i s s t r i a t i c e p s P i l e o l a r i a m i l l i t a r i s Jan ia pseudocormgata

C . Inf luences

Extensive c u l t i v a t i o n and development around Lake Bize r t e has reduced the a v a i l a b l e h a b i t a t . F i sh ing and boating a c t i v i t y d i s t u r b avifauna and commercial f i s h i n g skews t h e f i s h population s t r u c t u r e .

3.3.1.3. Lake Tunis 36'50' N 10°16* E

Between t h e c a p i t o l c i t y - o f Tunis and t h e s e a l i e s Lake Tunis. The lake i s a c t u a l l y a l a r g e (4500 ha) shallow lagoon t h a t formed when an acc re t ing sandy b a r r i e r s p i t separa ted an open bay from t h e Mediterranean sea i n t h e 16 th century (Saubade and Rosso 1983). Lake Tunis is composed of th ree d i s t i n c t ecosystems: North Lake, South Lake, and Navigation canal ( ~ e l k h i r and Salem 1983). The North and South p a r t s a r e always l e s s than 2 m deep and t h e major i ty i s l e s s than 1 m deep. The navigat ion canal i s c.5 m deep. Lake Tunis i s connected t o t h e sea by t h e Khereddine cacal i c the c o r t h and t h e Rades cana l i n the south. There is one smal l i s l a n d , Ch ik l i , on which t h e r e a r e t h e remains of an o ld f o r t r e s s .

A. . Vegetation

Lake Tunis is a highly eutrophic , brackish l ake , s o t h e r e i s not a hfgh d i v e r s i t y of vegeta t ion. The o u t l e t t o the sea is o f t e c choked by eea l e t t u c e % sp. and c a l c i f i e d tubes of Mercurella ecigmatica ( c a r p 1980). Algae mats form on t h e s tagnant water during the summer.

B. Fauna

Mammals. Due t o t h e high degree of development, only occasional jackals, fox o r ha res would be expected t o occur a t the lake. Bernard (1969) l i s t e d Shaw's j i r d , g e r b i l Gerb i l lus campestris and jerboa Jacu lus o r i e n t a l i s f o r the area . Some spec ies of b a t s a l s o occur.

Birds. Chik l i i s l a n d is one of only two o r t h r e e l i t t l e e g r e t n e s t i n g - areas i c Tunisia. Cormorants, he r r ing g u l l s and k e s t r e l s a l s o n e s t on t h e is land. Mallards and marbled t e a l nested a t the lake i c the pas t ( c a r p 1980). Lake Tunis i s very important f o r wintering g rea t c res ted grebe and l i t t l e grebe (825 i n 1975), cormorant (1,000 - 1,500) , flamingo (8,000 - 10,000 i c 1984), p i c t a i l (1300 i n 1 9 7 2 ) ~ shoveler (6,000 i c 1973), c a t t l e egre t , spoonbi l l and black-winged s t i l t (IUCN 1987; Carp 1980; H o l l i s 1986).

Rare spec ies inc lude peregr ine fa lcon acd s i g n i f i c a r t cumbers of t h e r a r e white-headed duck have been seen on the l ake (44 i n 1975 acd 666 i n 1973). Other b i r d s foucd a t Lake Tunis a re :

Black-necked grebe Grey heror. Greylag goose Shelduck Teal Tufted duck Osprey Marsh h a r r i e r Barbary par t r idge Lapwing L i t t l e s t i n t Commm sandpiper Curlew sandpiper Redshank Greenshack Dunlin

Kentish plover Ringed plover L i t t l e ringed plover Wood sandpiper Black-tai led godwit Ruff Snipe Stone curlew Slender-bi l led g u l l Black-headed g a l l Medi t e r r a n e a c g u l l L i t t l e tern Sandwich t e r n Gul l -bi l led t e r n Kingf isher Hoopoe

Swallow Meadow p i p i t Water p i p i t Grey wagtai l Blae-headed wagtai l White wagtai l Great grey s h r i k e Sky l a r k Fan-tailed warbler Chiffchaff Reed buc t ing Robin . Linnet Chaffinch S t a r l i n g Spanish s t a r l i n g

C. Inf luences

Although mucicipal law p r o h i b i t s the discharge of p o l l u t a n t s i n t o Lake Tunis ( see Section 5 .3 ) , some dumping s t i l l occurs. S t r o n g i n d u s t r i a l po l lu t ioc i n c e r t a i c zones has decreased, i f not e l imicated some of the marine fauna ( ~ a u b a d e and Rosso 1983). Waste water was discharged i c t o the lake before 1981, but i s now t rea ted and c o t r e ta rcsd t o the l ake (IUCN 1987). The choked o a t l e t from the sea i s a l s o bei rg c leared. Po l lu tac t s and d i s tu rbacce from boats i n the r a v i g a t i o c c a r a l a f f e c t the

cen te r and t h e l ake edge is h igh ly developed. There is a s a l t process ing . a r e a near Tunis where a s i z a b l e a r e a has been sect ioned o f f , but i t is still used by waders and waterfowl. . ..

The most s e r i o u s i n f l u e n c e on t h e l ake is a development p r o j e c t t h a t has a l ready f i l l e d 900 ha and is projected t o f i l l a t l e a s t 1,500 ha f o r a new sec t ion of t h e c i t y of Tunis. The p r o j e c t w i l l reduce t h e a r e a ava i l ab le t o waterfowland i n c r e a s e d is turbance i n the u n f i l l e d por t ion of the lake. Th i s development i s occuring i n s p i t e of t h e f a c t t h a t Lake Tunis was designated a P ro tec ted Wetland i n 1980 ( see Sec t ion 5.4).

3.3.1.4. Lake Monastir

On the c o a s t j u s t sou th of Monastir and 160 km south of Tunis i s Lake Monastir. More p roper ly c a l l e d a c o a s t a l lagoon, Lake Monastir i s the s i t e of the former Monastir s a l t ponds; abandonned i c 1952 ort tier 1977). The lagoon i s formed by a sandy b a r r i e r s p i t t h a t extends f o r 2.5 km a long t h e coas t and a f i n a l 0.5 km a r t i f i c i a l rock bank t h a t has been constructed a t the south end t o complete t h e b a r r i e r acd c lose o f f a 175 ha water body. Canals a t t h e nor th and south ends providi communication with the sea. Most of t h e lagoon i s l e s s thac 2 m deep, b ~ t t h e Of f i ce National des Peches ( ~ a t i o n a l F i s h e r i e s o f f i c e ) has dragged channels 2.5 - 3.5 m deep t o improve f s s h production. The channels allow water t o c i r c u l a t e betweec t h e 2 c a n a l s t o t h e sea , and i n good weather a c u r r e n t provides p a r t i a l water replacement every 6 hours.

A. Vegetation

Mortier (1977) desc r ibed 5 zones i n t h e lagoon:

1 . Cymodocea zone. Dense Cymodocea nodosa dominates t h e shallow non- s tagnant waters.

2. Caulerpa zone. I n t h e deeper , more tu rb id and l e s s f r equen t ly recewed waters and i n p a r t s of t h e cana l s the more t o l e r a n t Caulerpa p r o l i f e r a grows.

3. Greec f i lamentous a l g a e zone. Some p a r t s a t t a i n extreme l e v e l s of -

temperature and s a l i n i t y dur ing per iods , r e s t r i c t i n g growth of Cymodocea and r e s u l t i n g i n t h e formation of a lgae mats.

4. Shallow muddy-sand zone. Unvegetated. 5. Deep s t agnan t zone. Turbid and unvegetated canals .

B. Fauna

L i t t l e informat ion i s published regarding the v e r t e b r a t e fauna of t h e lagoon, but i t i s probably s i m i l a r t o t h e r e s t of t h e c o a s t l i n e of t h e Gulf of Hammamet. Terns, grebes and o t h e r f i s h e a t i n g b i r d s a r e a t t r a c t e d by the f i s h being r a i s e d i n t h e lagoon.

Marice Fauna. The marine fauna o or tier 1977) i s composed o f :

Nereis sp. ( ~ o l y c h e t e ) Cmstaceacs Cer i i th ium vulgatum ( ~ a s t e r o ~ o d ) Isopods C l i b a c a r i a s misanthropus " Amphi pods Lucic ia l a c t e a (pelecypod) Kaldacid Polychetes

Since Lake Monastir i s managed f o r f i e h production, t h e r e a r e s e v e r a l water control s t r u c t u r e s and fksh t raps . Guardians keep out o t h e r sources of distarbance, so t h e s i t e i s a s a f e haven f o r many b i rds .

3.3.1.5. Monastir S a l t Ponds ( s a l i n e s )

West of Monastir i s t h e lagoon t h a t replaced Lake Monastir a s a s a l t co l l ix t ion s i t e . The s i t e is over 1000 ha, much of which has been sectiored o f f i n t ~ evaporat ion ponds. The s a l i n e s a r e f u r t h e r in land than Lake Mocastir and t h e banks prevent f r e e c i r c u l a t i o n of the water.

A. Vegetatioc

Halocnemum st robi laceum, Arthrocnemum indicum, S a l i c o r n i a sp. and Halopeplis amplexicaulis dominate the vegetatkon on the shores of the sa l i ces . Poor water c i r c u l a t i o n and high s a l i n i t y prevent vegeta t ion growth i c maay of the s e c t i o n s . In the l a r g e , l e s s - s a l t y s e c t i o n s green filarneetom algae mats form.

B. Fauca

Mammals. Brown hares i n h a b i t the halophi le vegeta t ion around t h e s a l t pocds acd i t i s poss ib le t h a t red fox and Egyptian mongoose occasional ly occar there. The range of Shaw's j i r d and G e r b i i l l u s campestris ( g e r b i l ) extecds t o t h i s a rea and t h e h a b i t a t between the sa l tponds and the Mocastir a i r p o r t i s favorab le f o r those species .

Birds. Many spec ies of waterfowl and waders feed i n the s a l t ponds - sad there a r e s e v e r a l n e s t i n g s p e c i e s such a s shelduck and l i t t l e t e r n . Most of the spec ies found a long the coast of the Gulf of Hammamet and t h e Calf of Gabes probably a l s o s t o p a t the Monastir s a l t ponds and Lake Mocastir. Species p resen t i n August, 1987 included:

L i t t l e grebs Grey heron L i t t l e egre t Flamingo ( 1 400 ) Spoonbi 11 Shelduck Black-winged s t i l t Avocet ( 1000+ )

C. I c f l aecces

Oystercatcher Kentish plover Curlew sandpsper Spotted redshank Redshank Greenshank Marsh sandpiper Wood sandpiper

Black- t a i l e d godwit Slender-bi l led g u l l Mediterranean g u l l Herring g u l l L i t t l e t e r n Collared p r a t i n c o l e Spectacled warbler Lesser short-toed l a r k

Water l e v e l manipulation and equipment operat ion f o r s a l t production a f f e c t the vege ta t ioc and nes t ing bi rds . The adjacent a i r p o r t causes some d i s t x b a c c e t o the b i r d s . Water q u a l i t y i s f a i r l y good s i ~ c e i t must be kept c l e a r f o r acceptable s a l t prodaction. Fish a r e se iced i c the l a r g e r pocds, bat l-r~cticg i s u s a a l l y not allowed.

3.3.1.6. Thyna S a l t Ponds

J u s t south of Sfax, and 270 km south of Tunis, a r e the Thyna s a l t ponds. The s a l t ponds a r e p a r t of the eco log ica l u n i t of t h e Gulf of Gabes coas t , but a r e descr ibed s e p a r a t e l y here because they a l s o q u a l i f y a s a marine lagoon. The e a s t s i d e of the lagoon borders the sea and the two a r e only separa ted by an embankment. Before the embankment was constructed, the a r e a was an k n t e r t i d a l zone. The s a l t ponds a r e continuously being extended toward the south. I n 1984 t h e r e were 860 ha sectioned o f f from the s e a , al though not a l l of i t was in opera t ion f o r s a l t production (van Di jk 1986). The s a l t ponds a r e shallow (most l e s s than 1 m deep, a l l l e s s than 3 m) with sandy and muddy bottom s u b s t r a t e s .

A. Vegetation

Sparse ha loph i l e v e g e t a t i o n (~alocnemum, ~rthrocnemum) occurs a t the edges of the s a l t ponds, but t h e r e i s almost no submergect vege ta t ion i c the ponds. I n the l e s s s a l i n e s e c t i o n s the re i s abucdact phytoplankton a ~ d algae.

B. Fauna

Mammals. Red fox and sand r a t have been observed (Van D i j k 1986)~ but they a r e not l i k e l y t o occur i n l a r g e numbers.

Birds. The c lose proximity t o the sea makes Thyna a good high t i d e - r e s t i n g place f o r many s p e c i e s of waterfowl and waders and s e v e r a l s p e c i e s a l s o n e s t the re . Most of t h e b i r d s l i s t e d f o r the Gulf of Gabes ( f i g u r e 4 ) cac a l s o be observed a t Thyna. The following spec ies were observed i n August , 1987 :

Black-necked grebe L i t t l * e g r e t Spoonbil l Flamingo

n Shelduck Oystercatcher Avocet Kentish plover L i t t l e s t i n t D ~ n l i n White-winged black t e r n

Turnstone Black-headed g u l l Redshank Mediterranean g u l l G reenshank Lesser black back Marsh sandpiper Herring g u l l Curlew sandpiper c Slender-bi l led g u l l Black- ta i led godwit Ga l l -b i l l ed t e r n Bar- t a i l e d godwi t n Commm t e r n Curlew Black t e r n Black-winged stilt n L i t t l e t e r n Ruff Sandwich t e r n

n = Nesting Birds

C. Inf luences

The ponds were c rea ted f o r commercial s a l t product ioc , so t h e r e i s f r e q a e ~ t macipulation of water l e v e l s and equipment opera t ioc . Nests can be flooded o r crashed by t h i s a c t i v i t y , but the s a l t ccmpany's guardians p ro tec t a d u l t b i r d s from poaching and harassment. Ac ad jacec t ph3sphate p lac t acd an o l i v e o i l r e f i n e r y discharge a f f l u e c t s ict3 the sea .

3.3.1.7. Bahiret e l Bebane ( ~ i b a n e . ~ a g o o n )

Bahiret e l Bibane is on t h e southeant coast of Tunisia, only 15 km from the Libyan border. The lagoon is approximately 35 km long and has an area of c.30,000 ha. Large sand bars separa te the lagoon from the s e a , but there i s a s i z a b l e o u t l e t al lowtng f r e e interchange of water. The lagoon is shallow with a sandy bottom over a limestone s u b s t r a t e .

A. Vegetation

Upland a r e a s around t h e lagoon a r e vegetated by assoc ia t ions t y p i c a l of the southern Subdeser t ic L i t t o r a l Steppe (Section 3.5.3). The edge vegetation i s composed of ha loph i le assoc ia t ions dominated by:

Halocnemum sp. Atrfplex s p Zygophyllum album Juncus s p

NAS Limoniastrum guyonianum . Lygeum spartum

NAS = North African Sahara Endemic

The i s l a n d s a t the en t rance t o the lagoon a r e r i c h i n nes t ing b i r d s (0lney 19651, notably s e v e r a l s p e c i e s of Laridae such a s s l ender -b i l l ed g - d l , caspian t e r n and g u l l - b i l l e d t e r n ( c a r p 1980). Large numbers of migrating b i rds (see f i g u r e 4 ) pass through o r winter a t the lagoon, incladicg the threatened whi te s t o r k .

Bahiret e l Bibane is e n c i r c l e d by roads, some of which run along the water 's edge. Fishing and hunt ing is common a t the l ake , but not a t excessively high l e v e l s .

3.3.2. Sebkhets and Chot ts

Sebkhets a r e temporary wetlands, genera l ly on s a l t y s o i l s , fed by s l i g h t l y t o moderately s a l i n e runoff water. Most sebkhets a r e dry by l a t e summer, but some r e t a i n p a r t of t h e i r water throughout the year . Chotts a r e vas t dry depress ions t h a t were l a k e s i n the p le is tocene age (?40rgac 1982). They a r e too l a r g e t o be completely f i l l e d with runoff water, but por t ions conta in water i n most yea r s . The fauna and f l o r a of c h o t t s acd sebkhets a r e s i m i l a r , a l though t h e c h o t t s have a hkgher percentage of bare, dry ground.

Sebkhets and c h o t t s occupy a s i g n i f i c a n t a r e a i n Tunisia (almost 2 mi l l ion ha) and they play an important r o l e in moderating floodwaters, t rapping sediments and providing h a b i t a t f o r a v a r i e t y of fauna. The g r e a t e s t concentra t ion of sebkhe t s i s i n the Low Steppe region of e a s t e r c Tunisia and near the s o u t h e a s t c o a s t a l region. Large c h o t t s form a l i n e across south-central Tun i s ia from Gabes t o the Algerian border.

Sa l i ce s o i l s i n t h e sebkhe t s and c h o t t s r e s t r i c t the vege ta t ion assoc ia t ions t o s a l t t o l e r a n t spec ies . Dominant spec ies do c o t vary g rea t ly among the c h o t t s and sebkhe t s , although some secondary components vary with s o i l , water and c l i m a t i c condi t ions . A vegetat ior . t r a n s e c t from the cen te r t o the edge of a t y p i c a l sebkhet o r c h o t t i n summer would show the following bas ic c h a r a c t e r i s t i c zonation (ORSTOM 1962):

Unvegetated c e n t e r wi th very s a l t y s o i l s - of ten with s a l t c r u s t I I

Halopep l i s amplexicaulis I

Halocnemum strobilaceum I I

Arthrocnemm glaucum I I

Limoniastrum sp. S a l s o l a c r u c i a t a

I I

S a l s o l a t e t r a n d r a - Atr ip lex halimus o r Suaeda f r u t i c o s a

I I

S a l s o l a ve rmicu la ta o r Traganum nudatum

A low d i v e r s i t y of dominant vege ta t ion spec ies , most of which a r e halophi les , does not f avor d i v e r s e o r abundant sedentary a ~ i m a l populations i n the c h o t t s and sebkhets . The temporary c a t u r e of most eebkhets r e s t r i c t s t h e i r use a s wetland h a b i t a t during the seasons whec they a r e dry. However, dur ing t h e seasons when the re is water, g r e a t numbers of migrating and w i n t e r i n g waders and waterfowl feed and r e s t i n the c h o t t s and sebkhets. Waterfowl feed on p l a n t s such a s Potamogeton p e c t i n a t u s and f i lamentous a l g a e i n the l a r g e r , l e s s s a l i n e sebkhets and on inver tebra tes , t y p i c a l l y Moina r e c t i r o s t r i s ,

While s a l i c e s o i l s do c o t f avor a d i v e r s i t y of p lan t spec ies , they a l s o l i m i t c u l t i v a t i o c . Of tec sebkhets a r e the only u n t i l l e d land i n an area , thus increas ing t h e i r value a s h a b i t a t f o r fauna. Heavy grazing by l ives tock occurs a t most c h o t t s and sebkhets, and the disturbance and competition f o r p a l a t a b l e p l a n t s r e s t r i c t s t h e numbers of na t ive animals.

Mammals t h a t could be expected i n the vegetated edge zones include jackal, red fox, fennec fox , k a f f i r c a t , common genet, egyptian mongoose, browc hare, and many s p e c i e s of rodents, notably North African endemics s x h a s Shaw's j i r d and t h e g e r b i l Gerb i l lus campestria.

There a r e more than 30 c h o t t s and l a rge sebkhets and numerous smal le r sebkhets i c Tunisia. Since most of the c h o t t s and sebkhets a r e s i m i l a r from a b io log ica l d i v e r s i t y s t andpoin t , the following desc r ip t ions inc lude ocly the l a r g e r and more important ( t o b io log ica l d i v e r s i t y ) s i t e s .

3.3.2.1. Sebkhet Ariana 36'54' N 1 0 ~ 1 5 ' E

This 2500 he s a l t l ake i s loca ted about 10 km nor theast of Tunis, near Gamarth. I t i s separated from the sea by l e s s thac 500 m of dunes and has ve te r f o r most of t h e y e a r , but usua l ly d r i e s out f o r a period i n t h e s . m e r . The sebkhet i s a l a r g e f l a t pan with a sandy bottom and s a l t y water, surrounded by r o l l i c g c u l t i v a t e d h i l l s , eucalyptus p lan ta t ions and developed areas .

Sibkhet Ariaca, i n a s s o c i a t i o n with Lake Tunis and Sebkhet Sedjoums, form a wetland complex t h a t i s very important f o r migrating and win te r ing wsterfoul ( ca rp 1980). Typical s p e c i e s include:

Shelduck Dunlin Black-headed g u l l F l a ~ i c g o (hundreds) Sander l ing Herring g u l l Craws Sander l ing Kentish plover Avocet Redshank

B. Inf laences

The maic humac i c f l u e n c e s a r e tourism development between t h e sebkhet and the sea , sewage d i scharge , grazing and some shooting. Although t h e sewage adds n u t r i e n t s t o t h e water , i f chemical wastes were discharged i t coald heve severely de t r imenta l e f f e c t s on the f l o r a and fauna.

3.3.2.2. Sebkhet Sedjouml 36'48' N 1 0 ~ 1 2 ' E

Or the so .~thwest edge of Tucis , t h i s 2700 ha sebkhet i s only 2 km from Lake !xis. Sedjoami d r i e s up i c Augqast and September of some years ; daricg the o ther mocths i t has water averaging l e s s than 1 m deep. The shallov water c r e a t e s i d e a l c o n d i t i o c s f o r p l a c t s sgch a s Potamogetoc

f i l i f o r m i s , f i lamectous a lgae and Ecteromorpha P o t t i e r - b l a p e t i t e 1979).

A. Fauna

Ic the south and west p a r t s of t h e l ake t h e r e a r e about 40 i s l a n d s varying ic s i z e from s e v e r a l square meters t o s e v e r a l hectares . The i s l a n d s a r e used f o r n e s t i n g s i t e s by thousands of avocets and hundreds of black-winged stilts, making t h e sebkhet of n a t i o n a l importance organ 1982). Sed joumi i s of i n t e r n a t i o n a l importance f o r i t s overwintering waterfowl ( r e g u l a r l y suppor t s more than 10,000) based on t h e Hesligenhafen c r i t e r i a (Annex 4) . Shelduck (4 ,000) . p i n t a i l (16,000) and shove le r (5,700) occur i n l a r g e numbers i n winter . Flamingos occas iona l ly n e s t on the i s l ands and up t o 50,000 have been observed in the l ake organ 1982). The importance of t h e s i t e t o flamingos i s s i g n i f i c a n t l y increased when the sebkhets and c h o t t s t o t h e sou th dry up. Other b i r d s recorded organ 1982, Carp 1980, Van D i jk 1986) include:

Black-necked grebe Ca t t l e e g r e t Lapwing Grey plover D ~ r l i c L i t t l e s t i n t Redshar-k Curlew sandpiper Marsh sandpiper Wood sandpiper

Ruff Snkpe Q u a i l L i t t l e owl Crag mart in Skylark Water p i p i t Meadow p f p i t Grey wag ta i l

Robin Blackbird Song th rush Fan- t a i l e d warbler Chif f chaf f Greenfinch Goldfinch Chaffinch Corn bunting

B. I r f luences Humar in f luences i n c lude hunt ing, sewage discha rge, encroachment by

c o c s t r d c t i o r p r o j e c t s and a l a r g e rubbish dump, grazing, and d i s tu rbance caused by t r a f f i c on t h e a d j a c e n t roads. Encroachment is an e s p e c i a l l y de t r imer ta l i c f l u e n c e , s i n c e i t reduces t h e e f f e c t i v e h a b i t a t a r e a of t h e sebkhet.

3 . 3 2 . Sebkhet Kourzia

Located 10 km northwest of l e Fahs and 55 km soathwest o f ' T u n i s , Kourzia has an a rea of over 1000 ha. The surrounding t e r r a i n i s low, cu l t iva ted h i l l s t h a t d r a i n i n t o Kourzia. Water remakns f o r most of t h e year , but d r i e s i n t h e summer, l e a v i n g a s a l t c rus t . There i s an eroded edge bar-k about 2 m h igh, and t h e bottom i s clayey sand.

A. Fauna

A v a r i e t y of ducks and waders feed on the t h e i n v e r t e b r a t e Artemka sp. orga gar 1982). The s i t e i s used by enough waterfowl t o meet Hei l igenhafen c r i t e r i a f o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l importance. I n some years g r e a t numbers of flamirgos (up t o 22,000) have beec recorded. Other spec ies include:

Shelduck Ruff Eagle owl Crested l a r k P i r t a i l Woodcock K e s t r e l Great grey s h r i k e Avocet Q a a i l Merlin

B. I c f l u e n c e s

Humac i n f l u e n c e s i n c l u d e hun t ing and c u l t i v a t i o n t o w i t h i n 5 m of t h e w a t e r l i n e , which l e a v e s only a narrow band of v e g e t a t i o n . The ecosystem would be s e n s i t i v e t o heavy c o n c e n t r a t i o c s of f e r t i l i z e r s o r p e s t i c i d e s i n t h e r ano f f water from farmlands i f l a r g e s c a l e chemical u se was i n i t i a t e d .

3 . 2 4 Sebkhet Ke lb i a 35'50' N 10°17' E

Kelbia i s l o c a t e d a t t h e edge of t h e Low S teppes , 20 km n o r t h e a s t of Kairouac and 30 km west of Sousse. I t has an area of 13,000 ha and a maximum dep th of 2.52m. Three i n t e r m i t t e n t r i v e r s d r a i n t h e a d j a c e n t watershed (15,000 km ) i n t o Ke lb i a - t h e Nebhana, M e r g u e l l i l and Zeroud. Before t h e r i v e r s were dammed, t hey f looded a f t e r heavy r a i n s , c aus ing e r o s i o r and r e s u l t i n g i n a d e l t a of s i l t d e p o s i t e d a t t h e sou th end of t h e l a k e ( ~ o r ~ a c 1982). During t h e summer t h e l a k e o c c a s i o n a l l y d r i e s , l e av ing a l i g h t s a l t c r u s t on t h e bottom. Water s a l i n i t y v a r i e s from 1 g / l i c t h e s p r i n g t o s a t u r a t i o n a s t h e l a k e d r i e s ( ~ a o u a l i 1976).

A. Vege ta t i oc

Alocg wi th t h e h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o c t y p i c a l of sebkhas, t h e r e a r e bands of t amar i sk a l o n g t h e edge and emergents such a s c a t t a i l s Typha a n g u s t i f o l i a , reed Phragmi tes communis and S c i r p u s l a c u s t r i s cover ing about 10% of t h e edge. When t h e r e is water i n Kelbsa , a dense p r a i r i e of Zac i che l l a p a l u s t r i s cove r s aboat 9% of t h e bottom and dominates over Potamogetoc p e c t i c a t u s and T o l y p e l l a ( ~ a o a a l i 1976, Morgac 1982). A f l o a t i n g mass of Spyrogyra o f t e n forms d u r i n g t h e s p r i n g .

B. Fauca Zaoaa l i (1 976 ) acd Morgan (1 982) r epo r t ed s e v e r a l specses of fauna:

Z O O D ~ ~ ~ ~ O R : Arct iodiaptomus w i e r z e j s k i i Dapcia rnagna Dapcia a t k i c s i Diacyclops c r a s s i c a u d i s

I r v e r t e b r a t e s : Cymatia b o c s d o r f f i Micronecta sp . I l y o c o r i s sp . S iga ra sp . S. d o r s a l i s

P l e a sp. Berosus sp . Palaemonetes v a r i a n s ( c rus t acean ) Gyrinus sp .

Palaemonetes and t h e i n s e c t s a r e adapted i n such a manner t h a t a f t e r dry pe r iods t hey can r e c o l o n i z e Kelb ia from nearby water bodses. The zooplankton h a s r e s i s t a n t eggs.

I n former times, b e f o r e t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of t h e dams, up t o 8 2 m e t r i c t ons of f i s h have been t aken from Kelb ia by commercial f ishermen. F i s h s p e c i e s i n c l u d e :

Fucdalus h i s p a c i c u s Cambus3a a f f i x i s Barbus ba rbas Cypr icus c a r p i o h g i l cephal-JS Angui l la a ~ g u i l l a Y. ramada

Birds . Two r a r e s p e c i e s of duck have n e s t e d a t Kelb ia i n t h e p a s t , - marbled t e a l and white-headed duck organ 1982). Kelb ia meets Heil igenhafen c r i t e r i a ( ~ n n e x 4 ) f o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l importance based on t h e h igh n m b e r of w i n t e r i c g wa te r fowl ( c a r p 1980). Some of t h e many b i r d s p e c i e s recorded f o r Ke lb i a (Olney 1965, Morgan 1982, Carp 1980)are :

n Squacco heron P u r p l e g a l l i n u l e Crane Flamingo (7 ,000) Coot L i t t l e owl

n Shelduck (up t o 1800) G r e a t g r e y s h r i k e Hoopoe Wigeon (30,000) Black-winged stilt Cres ted l a r k P i c t a i l (14,000) Black-eared wheatear Ken t i sh p l o v e r Shoveler (10,600) Cream co lo red c o u r s e r Dese r t wheatear Moorhen B lack -be l l i ed sandgrouse Bee-eater

n = Nest ing B i r d s

C . I c f l a e n c e s

Kelbla has beer, d e s c r i b e d a s "ur,ique i n t h e Maghreb and probably i n t h e whole of North Af r i ca" and of o u t s t a n d i n g i n t e r n a t i o n a l impor tance ( ~ o r ~ a r , 1982). A f t e r Lake I c h k e u l and t h e Gulf of Gabes, i t is probably t h e t h i r d most impor t ac t wet land i n Tun i s i a . I t i s one of t h e l e a s t s a l i n e l a r g e water bod ie s i n T u n i s i a and s u p p o r t s a v a r i e t y of fauna and H

f l o r a . Before t h e 3 r i v e r s were dammed ( c o n s t r u c t i o n began or, t h e Oued Zeroad dam i n 1978) t h e l a k e a lmos t neve r , o r r a r e l y d r i e d o u t (Olney 1965, Radford acd P e t e r k e r 1969) . S ince t h e damming of t h e r i v e r s , d e s s i c a r i o n is much more f r e q u e n t and t h e e f f e c t s on t h e f l o r a and f auna have bee r d e t r i m e c t a l .

Th? ecosystem i s s e c s i t i v e t o long o r f r e q u e n t perfods o f d e s s i c a t i o n and a program f o r r e g u l a t e d w a t e r r e l e a s e from t h e dams would be b e n e f i c i a l . Hur,tir,g and egg c o l l e c t i o n a r e two o t h e r i n f l u e n c e s on t h e Kelb ia ?cosys ten t h a t should be c o n t r o l l e d .

3.3.2.5. Sebkhet S i d i e l Hani 35'31' N 1 0 ~ 2 7 ' E

Figure-8 shaped S i d i e l Hani i s oce o f t h e l a r g e s t (36,000 ha) s a l t l a k e s t o be c a l l e d a s ebkhe t i n s t e a d o f a c h o t t and t h e t h i r d l a r g e s t s a l t l a k e i c Tun i s i a . The l a k e i s l o c a t e d 25 km southwes t of Sousse and 20 km E-SE of Kairouan. I t i s o f t e n d r y i n summer, b u t o c c a s i o n a l l y r e t a i n s water f o r more than a y e a r . S a l i n i t y is ve ry hkgh and s a l t c r y s t a l s sometimes remain on t h e s a b s t r a t e even when t h e r e i s water i n t h e l a k e orga gar, 1 982 ) . A. Vegeta t ioc

The h igh s a l i n i t y r e s t r i c t s v e g e t a t i o n growth i n and around t h e l a k e , r e s a l t i c g i c l a r g ? mudf l a t s a t t h e s o a t h end. On some of t h e f r e s h e r edges, t h e r a r i p l a c t P o t e c t i l l a s ~ p i n a grows.

B. Fauna

There a r e severa l i s l a n d s t h a t provide nest fng hab i t a t , e spec i a l l y f o r flamingos. I n 1972, c. 10,000 flamingos were recorded breeding a t S i d i e l Haci (carp 1980). Lesser numbers breed there f a i r l y regular ly , making the s i t e of in te rna t iona l importance. The frequency of nestkng may have decreased i n recent years.

Excessive s a l t a l s o r e s t r i c t s t h e i nve r t eb r a t e fauna and there fore bird use is lower than t h a t of o ther aebkhets, such a s Kelbia. A v a r i e t y of waders pass through on migration and permanent res iden ts of t he adjacent area include palm dove, g r e a t grey shr ike , fulvous babbler, l e s s e r short-toed l a r k and c res ted l a rk .

C. Icflaences

Human inf luences include c u l t i v a t i o n c lose t o the edge of t he l ake and some egg co l lec t ing by l o c a l v i l l a g e r s ( c a rp 1980). The ecosystem would be s ec s i t i ve t o a l t e r a t i o n s i n the watershed feeding the lake.

3.3.2.6. Sebkhet E l Djem

Twelve kilometers south of the c i t y of E l Djem, 50 km north of Sfax, and 20 km west of the sea , i s t h e 3,000 ha Sebkhet E l Djem. Water depths reach 3 - 4 m when the lake i s f u l l , but i t i s frequent ly dry i n summer. The s-~rroundicg region i s r o l l i n g h i l l s , cu l t i va t ed t o ce rea l s and o l ives .

A . Vegetation

The south shore i s f a i r l y s t e e p and there is only a narrow band of halophile vegetation. On t h e nor th s i de the halophi les extend f o r 100 - 300 m over the gently s loping t e r r a i c .

There a r e severa l small i s l a n d s and 2 l a r g e r i s l ands t ha t provide nesting cover f o r black-winged s t i l ts , flamingos and avocets. which cested there ic the e a r l y 1 9 7 0 ~ ~ but may no longer breed there regu la r ly (M. Smart, pers. comm.). Other b i r d s reported f o r Sebkhet E l Djem ( ca rp 1980, Morgan 1982, Van D i jk 1986) include:

Pochard (over 10,000) L i t t l e s t i n t Great grey shr ike Coot (33,000) Kentish plover Blackbird

t n White-headed duck (349) Hoopoe Song thrush c Collared pra t inco le Swallow Fulvous babbler

Cream colored courser Crane Short-toed l a r k c Slecder-bil led g u l l Rock dove Chaffinch c Cull-bil led t e rn Palm dove S t a r l i c g

Lesser short-toed l a r k

n = Nesticg Bsrds t = Threatened Species

The high numbers .of pochard and coo t make t h e s i t e i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y impor tant and i t i s a q u a l i t y example o f a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e sebkhet (Morgan 1982).

C. I n f luences

.Human i n f l u e n c e s on t h e ecosystem i n c l u d e c u l t i v a t i o n o f t h e a d j a c e n t a r e a and encroachment i n t o t h e edge vege ta t ion . Egg c o l l e c t i o n h a s occured i n p a s t y e a r s ( c a r p 1980).

3.3.2.7. Sebkhets S i d i Mansour and En Noual 34O15'-25* N g039*-58' E

En Noual i s 20 km west o f t h e c o a s t , 60 km northwest o f Gabes and 11,000 ha i n s i z e . S s d i Mansour i s 5 0 km west of t h e c o a s t , 70 km northwest of Gabes and 3,000 ha i n s i z e . Both a r e sha l low (maximum dep th 1.5 m) wi th low s a l i n i t y l e v e l s .

A. Vegeta t ioc

Large decse ly vege ta t ed a r e a s surround t h e sebkhe t s , which f r e q u e n t l y d ry our i n summer. I n t e r s p e r s e d i n t h e t y p i c a l sebkhet type h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n a r e Tamarix sp.and s p e c i e s common t o t h e sur rounding s t e p p e s , such a s Rhantherium suaveolens and Ar temis ia campes t r i s

B. Fauna

The dense v e g e t a t i o n provsdes e x c e l l e n t cover f o r g e r b i l s , Shaw's j i r d , brown h a r e , red f o x , and d o r c a s g a z e l l e s . Grea t numbers o f waders v i s i t t h e sebkhets . An e x c e p t i o n a l 75 ,000 flamsngos were recorded i n 1971 ( c a r p 1980) and they o c c a s i o n a l l y a t t empt t o n e s t a t S i d l Macsour (0 lney 1965). Other b i r d s i n c l u d e :

Black-necked g rebe Crane Scrub warb le r Teal L i t t l e s t i n t Deser t wheatear Shoveler Avocet Mourning wheatear Pochard P r a t i n c o l e Red-rumped wheatear

t White-headed duck Long-legged buzzard White w a g t a i l Mallard Swallow Hoopoe l a r k

t Marbled t e a l Cres t ed l a r k

t = Threatened S p e c i e s

C. I n f luences

Human i n f l u e n c e s a r e widespread a t t h e s e sebkhets . The d ry e a s t e r n ends a r e sometimes c u l t i v a t e d t o c e r e a l s , v e g e t a t i o c i s c u t and ga the red f o r f u e l and fodde r , g r a z i n g i s e x c e s s i v e , and egg c o l l e c t i o n has ru ined a t l e a s t oce n e s t i n g a t t e m p t by f lamingos ( c a r p 1980). Hunt i rg and poachlcg ( b i r d s acd mammals) a r e a l s o ve ry common.

3.3.2.8. M n o r Sebkhets of t h e Low Steppea

h e t o t h e f l a t topography and t h e runoff from t h e ad jacen t mountains, t h e Low Steppes a r e s p o t t e d wi th aebkhets . I n a d d i t i o n t o those a l r e a d y described ( ~ e l b i a , S i d i e l Hani, E l Djem, S i d i Mansour, En ~ o u a l ) t h e r e a r e s e v e r a l o t h e r l e s s impor tant eebkhets worth mentioning. Sebkhet Mokrine i s about 35 km s o u t h e a s t of Sousse and i a less than 5 km from t h e coas t . Usually dry i n t h e summer and no t ve ry f u l l i n t h e win te r , Moknkne o f f e r s a s a f e haven f o r b i r d s mig ra t ing down t h e coas t . Sebkhet Menzel Dar Elel Ouar is 20 km S-SW of Enfida. It i s a r e l a t t v e l y s a l t y l a k e , d r y i n s*mmer, but used by migra t ing b i r d s i n win te r .

Sebkhets Ech Cher i t a , E l Gherra, Mecheguig E l Bahira and Menzel Chaker a r e a l l s i m i l a r temporary s a l t l a k e s southwest of Sousse, northwest o f Sfax acd e a s t of S b e i t l a . These and many o t h e r smal l sebkhets enhance t h e b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y of t h e r eg ion by i n c r e a s i n g t h e i n t e r s p e r s i o n o f h a b i t a t t ypes and providing cover i n h e a v i l y c u l t i v a t e d a reas .

Soath of Chebba and a few hundred meters i n from t h e c o a s t i s Sebkhet Baradaa. The main s t and ing water body is about 40 ha and t h e surrounding ha loph i l c vegeta ted f l o o d p l a i n i s c.500 ha. Close proximity t o t h e sea makes t h e w e t l a ~ d a t t r a c t i v e t o waterfowl and waders migra t ing a long t h e coas t . Some b i r d s , such a s b lack t e r n s , a l s o n e s t t he re .

Aboat 20 km nor th of Kairouan and j u s t sou th of t h e town of Metbasta i s a v a s t vegeta ted f loodp la in . R e l a t i v e l y low s a l i n i t y makes t h i s wetlacd nore of a temporary f r e shwa te r l a k e than a sebkhet and t h e r e f o r e t h e l o c a l popu la t ioc c a l l s i t Lake Metbasta. Although i t only ho lds water f o r a s h o r t period dur ing and a f t e r t h e w i n t e r r a i n s , t h e v a s t e x t e n s i o n of t h e f l o o d p l a i n makes i t a va luab le s i t e f o r migra t ing waterfowl and waders, r e s t i n g sedentary b i r d s ( i n c l u d i n g t h e th rea tened houbara b u s t a r d ) acd mannals.

3 . 3 2 . J e f f a r a Complex

A t t he Libyac border is a complex of s a l t l a k e s and s a l i n e r i v e r beds c o v e r i ~ g over 160.000 ha on t h e Tunis ian s i d e . The complex i n c l u d e s Sebkhet e l Melah and Bou Djemel - l a r g e c o a s t a l s a l t l a k e s by Bah i re t e l Bibane; Sebkhet Tader, which extends i n l a n d 70 km along t h e border ; Sebkhet Oum e l K r i a l a t e ; Garaet Djedid; Sebkhet Areg e l Makriene; and Garaet ez Zets . Although t h e complex is d ry f o r most of t h e y e a r i t provides important d i v e r s i t y i n t h e h a b i t a t s of animals such a s do rcas g a z e l l e s , b r o m h a r e s and houbara bus tards . I t is a l s o a p o t e n t i a l l y va luable r e s t s t o p f o r migra t ing b i rds . R e l a t i v e l y l i t t l e r e sea rch h a s beer d o ~ e on t h e complex and f u r t h e r s tudy i s needed.

3.3.2.10. Sebkhet E l Gue t t a r

Sebkhet E l G z e t t a r , a l s o c a l l e d Chott E l G u e t t a r , i s 15 km s o u t h e a s t of Gafsa and 120 km northwest of Gabes. S ince t h e l a k e is i n a c a r i d rcgioc , i t d r i e s e a r l y i c t h e summer and sometimes remains dry throughout t h e year. The s a l t l a k e cove r s 7 ,400 h a , wi th an a d d i t i o n a l 5,000 ha Of

ha loph i l e vege ta t ioc . There a r e 2 o t h e r s m a l l e r s ebkhe t s 10 a ~ d 25 km ror thwest of Gabes cover icg about 4,000 ha each.

A. Fauna

Whet the re is water, t h e eebkhet rece ives heavy seasonal use by migrating waterfowl, waders and o the r bi rds . Slender-bil led g u l l s and black-winged stilts have been recorded breeding organ 1982) and the threatened houbara bustard is occasional ly observed in t h e halophi le vegetation. There is a l s o a r e s i den t population of rep tk les , rodents ( ge rb i l s , j i r d s ) , brown hare , red fox and jackal.

B. Influences

Grazing and vegetat ion gather ing occur throughout the a rea , but the edge zone is so l a rge ' t h a t adequate cover usua l ly remains f o r fauna. Hunting and poaching a r e probably t he most detr imental human inf luences .

3.3.2.11. Sebkhet E l Hamma 33'58' N 9'57' E The system of cho t t s t h a t form a b e l t through the cen te r of Tucis ia

begins t e a r the Mediterranean coas t with Sebkhet El Hamma, 25 km W-NW of Gabes. Separated from Chott F e j i j t o the west by a s l i g h t r idge, Sebkhet E l Harnma i s c.5.000 h~ i n a rea . It is o f t en dry f o r many years , except a t the s i t e of a hot (70 C) spr ing a t t he southern end o organ 1982).

A. Fauca

The hot spr ing i s the only known h a b i t a t of a small blind crustacean Thermosbaena mi r ab i l i s ( c a rp 1980). When t he r e is water i n the r e s t of t he sebkhet, thousands of flamingos and pochards and hundreds of wigeons, shovelers and o ther waterfowl and waders use the lake.

B. Inf laences

Grazing, vegetat ion gather ing, poaching and c u l t i v a t i o n of t he adjacent area a r e having an unquant i f ied impact on t he sebkhet.

3.3.2.12. Chott F e j i j 33'55' N g010' E

Extending west from Sebkhet E l Hamma is the 570,000 ha Chott F e j i j . Often dry f o r over a year , when t he r e is water i t is brackish t o f r e sh (carp 1980). Water remains longes t i n f ou r depressions along the cho t t and usual ly covers less than 10% of t h e t o t a l a rea organ 1982).

A. Vegetation

Alocg with the t y p i c a l ha lophi le vege ta t ion , the margtns support Tamarix sp. and sedges Carex ap.

B. Fauca

Inver tebra tes i cc lude low d e n s i t i e s of Artemia sp. ( t y p i c a l of cho t t s ) , Da h r i a c a r i na t a , Dyt isc idae and Corixidae. Flamicgos nes t occasior.a*OOO p a i r s i n 1974) and l a r g e numbers of ducks (pochard, shoveler, shelduck) sporad ica l ly winter a t the cho t t .

C. I n f luences

I n f l u e n c e s i n c l u d e g r a z i n g , c u l t i v a t i o n and development.

3.3.2.13. Chot t J e r i d

West o f , and connected t o , Chot t F e j i j is t h e l a r g e s t c h o t t o f t h e Uaghreb, Chot t J e r i d , which covers c.700,000 ha. The huge a r e a ks never completely inunda ted , even i n wet y e a r s on ly 5% of t h e c h o t t i s covered by water. S tanding water occu r s s p o r a d i c a l l y i n t h e c h o t t , depending on where t h e r a i n s f a l l , and movement due t o t h e winds i s common. The most f r e q u e n t l y inundated s i t e i s l o c a t e d j u s t t o t h e west of c e n t e r organ 1982). Water i n t h e c h o t t i s b rack i sh t o s a l t y and l e a v e s s a l t d e p o s i t s a f t e r evapora t ion .

Sparse i c v e r t e b r a t e s i nc lude Artemsa sp . , a Dy t i sc idae and a Cor ix idae orga gar. 1982). Nes t ing flamingoi- p a i r s ) were recorded i n 1959 ( c a r p 1980) and some waders may r e s t a t D j e r i d du r ing migra t ion (Olney 19651, but i t i s c o t a s i t e of prime importance f o r b i r d s . Threatened houbara b u s t a r d s c e s t ix t h e a r e a .

B. I c f l u e c c e s

Grazing, vege ta t son c o l l e c t i o c , c u l t i v a t i o n acd manipulat ion of ucdergroand water r e s e r v e s f o r i r r i g a t i o c a l l a f f e c t t h e c h o t t .

3.3.2.14. Chot t E l Gharsa

Tee k i l o m e t e r s t o t h e nor thwest of Chot t J e r i d and d i s t i c c t l y s epa ra t ed from i t , Chott E l Gharsa i s cocnected t o t h e b e l t of c h o t t s ex tecdicg westward i c t o Alger ia . Covering c.60,000 ha , t h e c h o t t has a c e c t e r a l t i t u d e of 7 m below s e a l e v e l . E l Gharsa i s s i m i l a r t o t h e o t h e r c h o t t s i c terms of wa te r regime, f l o r a , fauna and i c f luences .

3.3.2.15. A r t i f f c s a l Lakes Near Kebs l i 33O37' N 8O53' E

Near t h e s o u t h e a s t edge of Chott J e r i d , 15 km southwest of K e b i l i , is a s e r i e s of sma l l b rack i sh l a k e s ave rag ing a few hundred h e c t a r e s i n s i z e . Lakes Nouiel , Graad, Ta f faya , Menchia and Fa tnas sa a r e fed by excess i r r i g a t i o c water from t h e a d j a c e c t oases and t h e r e f o r e a r e l e s s s a l s n e thac n o s t s ebkhe t s and a r e a lmost never comple te ly dry.

The l a k e s a r e a t t r a c t i v e t o m i g r a t i c g water fowl acd waders, e s p e c i a l l y s i n c e they a r e some of t h e l a s t wet lacds be fo re t h e b i r d s c r o s s t h e Sahara, acd t h e f i r s t oces they reach whec they r e t u r c . Mary b i r d s a l s o

winter the re . Waterfowl observed i n January 1986 (Smeti, pere. comm.) include:

Flamingo Teal Shoveler Moorhen P i n t a i l Wigeon

B. Inf luences

Gadwall Mallard

Waterfowl a r e hunted a t t h e l a k e s each yea r , but not a t excess ive l e v e l s (about 10 hun te r s annual ly) . The edge vege ta t ion i s heav i ly grazed by l ives tock.

3 .3 .3 . Rivers and Reservoirs

Permanect r i v e r s ocly e x i s t i n t h e nor th , but t h e r e a r e i n t e r m i t t e n t r i v e r s acd streams s c a t t e r e d throughout Tunis ia . A l l major r i v e r s and macy of the smal le r , i c t e r m i t t e n t r i v e r s have a t l e a s t one dam, cors t ruc ted t o conserve water f o r i r r i g a t i o n o r domestic use and t o reduce flood damage. A c a t a ~ t r o p h i c ~ f l o o d i n 1969 eroded 260 mi l l ion tons of s o i l from a watershed of 8,577 km where normally 5 m i l l i o n tons a r e l o s t annaally pi rant 1980). The f lood a l s o changed t h e watercourses of s e v e r a l streams and destroyed many br idges , roads and bui ld ings . That d e s t r u c t i v e f lood s p ~ r r e d t h e Tunis ian government i n t o inc reas ing i t s dam constructkon program.

Due t o the dams and t h e long dry season, a l a r g e propor t ion of t h e su r face water evaporates before i t i s used f o r i r r i g a t i o n o r reaches t h e sea. The high ancual evaporat ion r a t e - 1400 mrn i n the nor th t o 3000 mm i n the south r rant 1980) - r e s u l t s i n t h e d e s s i c a t i o n of many r i v e r s and some of the smal le r r e s e r v o i r s .

Typical vege ta t ion a long r i v e r s and r e s e r v o i r s of t h e nor th inc ludes planted acac ia and eucalyptus and:

Tamarix s p Carex s p

Juncus Phragmk t e s communis Nephron oleander Rubus ulrnkfolius

I n southern watersheds t h e s a l i n e s o i l r e s u l t s i n moderately ha loph i l e vegeta t ion. Submergent vege ta t ion i s uncommon due t o t h e t u r b i d i t y and s e a s o c a l i t y of waterflow kn t h e r i v e r s and t h e depth of t h e rese rvo i r s .

Tucis ian r i v e r s a r e poor t n f i s h spec ies dkverskty ( ~ r a i e m 1983). There a r e only 12 s p e c i e s , of which 8 a r e n a t i v e and 4 a r e introduced. Fish of t h e nor the rc and c e n t r a l r i v e r s and r e s e r v o f r s a r e i n t h e genera: Aphianus, Gambusia, Barbus and Pseudophoximus.

Rivers provide important h a b i t a t f o r l o c a l popula t ions of b i r d s and mammals. Although t h e depth and r e s u l t i n g l a c k of supmergent vegetatTon makes most r e s e r v o i r s poor h a b i t a t , s e v e r a l spec ies of waterfowl and waders ase t h e l a r g e f reshwater bodies a s migrat ioc rest s tops . The threateced white-headed duck uses the Besbesia dam r e s e r v o i r between Tunis acd Bize r t e , and g r e a t c r e s t e d grebes and some ducks breed a t the Gdir e l Ghoal ponds jast o u t s i d e of Tunis.

The b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y o f T u n i s i a ' s r i v e r s has r ece ived s c a n t a t t e c t i o c i n t h e p a s t and a d d i t i o n a l s t u d i e s a r e needed. The two major permaner.t r i v e r s a r e t h e Medjerda acd t h e M i l i a n e , de sc r ibed b e l ~ w .

3.3.3.1. Oued Medjerda

Oued Medjerda i s t h e l a r g e s t r i v e r i n T u n i s i a . I t o r i g i n a t e s i n A lge r i a , e c t e r s T u n i s i a n e a r Ghardimaou and f l ows i n t o t h e Medfterranean s e a south o f 2 P o r t o F a r i n a . The r 2 v e r i s 460 km long and h a s a watershed of 23,000 km , of which 15 ,000 km i) i n T u n i s i a (Andren aed Salem 1978). The meac r a t e o f f low i s 30 - 1500 m /second, which f l u c t u a t e s g r e a t l y s i n c e 30 - 85% of i t s d i s c h a r g e i s i n f l o o d w a t e r s rant .1980).

Oued Medjerda h a s been a l t e r e d s u b s t a n t i a l l y by w a t e r c o n t r o l p r o j e c t s and 80% of i t s wa te r i s now r e t a i n e d . The wa te r cou r se ha s been chacce l i zed i c s e v e r a l l o c a t i o n s , a l a r g e cemect l i n e d c a n a l ha s beec c r e a t e d t o b r i c g wa te r t o Cap Boc, and s e v e r a l dams have beec c o n s t r u c t e d a l o ~ g t h e r i v e r acd i t s t r k b u t a r i e s .

The l a r g e s t r e s e r v o i r i c North A f r i c a has bee r c r e a t e d by t h e S i d i Salem daz n e a r Beja . A t maximum wa te r l e v e l s c .4 ,600 ha a r e icundated by t h e r e s e r v o i r . S o i l s i c t h e a r e a a r e very e r o d i b l e ; massive l a n d s l i d e s have d..nped l a r g e q u a c t i t i e s o f e a r t h i n t o t h e r e s e r v o i r and upstream e r o s i o c has r e s u l t e d i n a f a s t s e d i m e c t a t i o n r a t e . The dam i s r e l a t i v e l y new, s o t h e s a r r o u c d i n g v e g e t a t i o c ha s n o t succeeded t o r i p a r i a c a s s o c i a t i o c s . Graz i cg and c u l t i v a t i o n t o t h e edge of t h e r e s e r v o i r i n sons l o c a t i o c s i s a l s o s l o v i c g t h e s a c c e s s i o c p roces s and i c c r e a s i n g e r o s i o c . Although t h e r e s e r v o i r i s f i l l i n g i c f a s t , i t i s t oo deep t o provide opt inur . w i l d l i f e h a b i t a t . B i r d s o f i c t e r e s t no ted i c September of 1987 i ~ c l * ~ d e g r e a t c r e s t e d g r e b e , k e c t i s h p l o v e r and marsh h a r r i e r .

There a r e a l s o mary dams o r t h e 12 t r i b u t a r i e s t o Oued Medjerda. Korth of Le Kef i s t h e Oued Mellegue dam, c o c s t r u c t e d i c 1946-54. The maximum a r e a o f t h e r e s e r v o i r i s 1000 h a , which i s i m p o r t a c t i r a r e g i o c wi th few c a t u r a l we t l ands . The r e s e r v o i r ha s many coves acd a very i r r e g u l a r c o a s t l i n e . D r a s t i c wa te r f l . ~ c t . ~ a t i o e s have r c s . ~ l t e d i c l i t t l e submergcct o r edge v e g e t a t i o c . Mig ra t i ng t e a l , wigeoc, m a l l a r d s and waders u se t h e r e s e r v o i r a s a r e s t s t o p . A v a r i e t y of game b i r d s , p a s s e r i c e s and m a ~ m a l s occu r on t h e a d j a c e c t l a n d .

3.3.3.2. Oued Milkane

Oued M i l i a c e d i s c h a r g e s i n t o T e Gulf of T u c i s j u s t s o u t h of t h e c i t y 9 of T ~ c i s . A watershed o f 2 ,000 km d r a i n s i n t o t h e r i v e r , which c a r r i e s a c ancua l v o l m e o f 6 m i l l i o n m3 o f u s a b l e w a t e r (Acdrec and Salem 1978). Two dans , E l Keb i r and B i r M'Chergua have b e e r c o c s t r u c t e d on t h e H i l i a n e .

3.3.4. C the r F re shwa te r Wctlacds

m ~ r ~ l y f r e s h w a t e r w e t l a c d s a r e s c a r c e i c T u n i s i a . Kost of t h e wet lands a r e sonewhat s a l i c e due t 3 s a l t i c t h e watershed s o i l o r i c f l . ~ x e s of seawater i c t ~ t h e we t l acd . The f r e s h e s t w e t l a c d s e x i s t i c g i c T x i s i a a r e t hose fed d i r e c t l y by r a l c w a t e r o r g roacdwater . The f o l l o w i r g f i v e

wet lands have been s e l e c t e d a s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of t h e v a r i o u s sma l l wet lands t h a t e x i s t i n T u n i s i a o r because they e x h i b i t s p e c i a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of i n t e r e s t i n regard t o b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y .

3.3.4.1. D j e b e l Chktane Lake 37°11' N gO1O' E

In land o f Cap S e r r a t , 45 km n o r t h e a s t of Tabarka o r t h e n o r t h c o a s t , i s t h e mountain l a k e of D jebe l Chi tane . The l a k e i s not very l a r g e and t h e water i s f r e s h .

A. Vegetatkon

Lake Ch i t ane i s surrounded by cork oak Quercus s u b e r f o r e s t . The f r e s h water c r e a t e s c o n d i t i o n s f a v o r a b l e f o r t h e growth of a q u a t i c and edge v e g e t a t i o n s p e c i e s t h a t a r e found i n on ly a few o t h e r l o c a t i o n s i c Tuc i s i a . S p e c i e s i n c l u d e adfo ford and P e t e r k e c 1969, P o t t i e r - A l a p e t i t e 1979) :

r Nymphaea a l b a I s o e t c s v e l a t a r Sparganium erectum r E c h i c o d o r ~ s r acuccu lo ides

Ranunculus o p h i o g l o s s i f o l i u s Aspler iam ad ia r t am nigrum R. a q n a t i l i s s s p b a a d o t i i

r = Rare

B. I n f l u e n c e s

There have been no r e c e n t r e p o r t s o r f a c t o r s i c f l a e c c i c g t h e l a k e , but i t woald be ve ry s e n s i t i v e t o a c t i v i t i e s i n c r e a s i c g s e d i m e c t a t i o r , s a l i n i t y , o r p o l l u t i o c .

3.3.4.2. Lake E l F i e 1

Between Djebe l Kechem e l Kelb and Djebe l T o u i l a , 22 km s ~ a t h w e s t of Kasser ine , is a s m a l l d e p r e s s i o n (100 ha) a t an a l t i t n d e of 650 m. The wetland is f ed by runof f w a t e r and i t d r i e s o u t each smmer f o r about 2 months. S a l i n i t y i s abou t 2 g / l ( ~ o r ~ a c 1982). Clay s u b s t r a t e s h e l p r e t a i n wa te r and t h e b a s i n can f i l l r a p i d l y a f t e r heavy r a i n s .

A.

has and

B.

Vege ta t i on

The l and around t h e l a k e is Ar t emis i a he rba a l b a s t e p p e , much of which been c u l t i v a t e d t o wheat. S c i r p u s mar i t imus cove r s 10% of t h e wetland whec t h e r e i s w a t e r a n a l g a e mat forms on t h e s u r f a c e .

Fauca

I c v e r t c b r a t e s r e p o r t e d by Morgac (1982) a r e S i g a r i a cocc i cca ( a b rack i sh wa te r fo rm) , thaumalid l a r v a e acd a c a l a c o i d . C 3 3 t , l i t t l e a t i c t , curlew sandp ipe r and o t h e r waders and b i r d s feed acd r e s t a t t he wetland d u r i c g m i g r a t i o c .

C. I c f l u e n c e s

S c i r p u s would probably cover more o f t h e wetland i f i t was n o t g razed i c t e ~ s i v e l y by l i v e s t o c k .

3.3.4.3. Lake Zerk ine 33'15' N 1 0 ~ 1 7 ' E

Twenty-five k i l o m e t e r s s o u t h e a s t o f Cabes i s a s m a l l (c .50 ha ) wet land fed by groundwater and runo f f . The eha l low l a k e h a s a maximum dep th o f 1 meter acd t h e s a l i n i t y kn May o f 1976 was 3.2 g / l (Morgan 1982). Lake Zerk ice i s t h e r e f o r e n o t oce o f t h e f r e s h e s t wa t e r bod i e s o f T u n i s i a , b u t i t i s one o f t h e f r e s h e s t i n t h e reg ion .

A . V e g e t a t i o c

S c i r ~ ~ s mar i t imus forms a marsh on 40% of t h e bottom and Characeae is d i spe r sed ove r 80% of t h e pond organ 1982). T h i s i s probably t h e on ly s o a t h e r r l o c a t i o c of Butomis umbel la tus , which i s r a r e th roughout Tun i s i a . Dasn9c;m a l i s n a 1s a c o t h e r a q u a t i c p l a n t found i n t h e marsh.

Pocd f auca i c c l u d e s :

Be r th l c : Notocec ta sp . L e b e l l u l i d a e Bae t i dae Corixa p a c z e r i Chironomidae Coenagrionidae S i g a r a c o r c i c c a

I c sec t : Daphcia sp. Daphcia a t k i n s o c i

h p h i t i ~ r : Fiaca s p . Eufo v i r i d i s

Bi rds . Duricg m i g r a t i o c , many of t h e water fowl and waders l k s t e d f o r t h e G d f of Gabes ( ~ e c t i o c 3.1.4) could be expec ted t o feed i n t h e pond. Norgar (1982) recorded summertime u s e by grey he ron , l i t t l e e g r e t , squacco heroc , e i g h t he roc , g l o s s y i b i s , c o o t s , b l ack t e r c acd garganey.

The f r e s h water and v e g e t a t i o c o f t h e marsh a t t r a c t h e r d e r s w i t h t h e k r l i v e s t o c k t o t h e s i t e . C raz ing i s a pr imary s o u r c e o f d i s r u p t i o n t o t h e ecosystem. Although i t may n o t be p o s s i b l e t o comple te ly e l i m i n a t e g r a z i c g , t h e implemecta t ion o f some s o r t of s e n s i b l e u s e s t r a t e g y could g r e a t l y echacce t h e h a b i t a t v a l u e of Lake Zerkkne.

3.3.4.4. Oued Essed P o o l s 35'55' N 1 0 ~ 2 8 ' E

Yhec Sebkhet E e l b i h ( ~ e c t i 9 ~ 3.3.2.4) ove r f l ows , i t d r a i n s i n t o t h e s ea V ~ E 9 ~ e d f s s e d . S i c c e Ke lb i a oc ly o c c a s i o n a l l y over f lows ( ~ a o u a l i 1 9 ~ 6 ) . as~el::; most o f Oued Esscd is d r y excep t f o r some poo l s n e a r S i d i BSJ A l l , bctwcec t h e r a l l r o a d t r a c k s acd GP1. The poo l s a r e fed by s p r i c g s ac? ocl:; ex t ecd a few h m d r e d meters a l o c g t h e r i ve rbed .

A. Vege ta t i on

Alocg t h e p o o l s , t h e f r e s h , f lowing w a t e r s u p p o r t s a l u s h growth of c a t t a i l s Typha a n g u s t i f o l i a , Phragmi tes communis, Juncus sp . , Tamarix ap. and a few h a l o p h i l e s p e c i e s .

B. Fauna

Abundant i n v e r t e b r a t e s occupy t h e w a t e r a r e a t h a t does n o t d r y up dur ing t h e sammer; t h e r e f o r e a n unusual v a r i e t y of b i r d s a r e a t t r a c t e d . I n August of 1987, t h e fo l lowing b i r d s were recorded:

L i t t l e e g r e t t n Marbled t e a l Wood s a n d p i p e r E Night heron n Black-winged stilt Marsh sandp ipe r

Koorhen L i t t l e r i nged p l o v e r Greenshank Coot Ken t i sh p l o v e r Hoopoe Water r a i l L i t t l e s t i n t Fan - t a i l ed warb l e r Shelduck Ternminck' s s t i n t Ol ivaceous warb l e r Mallard Cream co lo red c o u r s e r

t = Threa tened S p e c i e s n = Nes t ing B i r d s

C. I c f l u e c c e s

The r i v e r f l o w h a s been a l t e r e d by b r i d g e s , road c o n s t r u c t i o n and upstream g r a v e l e x c a v a t i o n , b u t t h e pools appea r t o be r e l a t i v e l y ur -d is t s rbcd . T h i s i s a v a l u a b l e wetland s i t e t h a t would be ve ry s e n s i t i v e t o v e g e t a t i o c removal o r d i s r u p t i o n of t h e w a t e r flow.

3.3.4.5. Dar Fatma Bog 36'48' N 8'45' E

The on ly known p e a t bog i n t h e coun t ry is 25 km sou th of Tabarka i n t he Kroumirie mosnta ins of no r thwes t T u n i s i a . Mountaic s t r eams f low i n t o a b a s i c (770 rn a l t i t u d e ) c r e a t i n g a s m a l l wetland about 3 ha i n s i z e , and s - ~ b t e r r a n e a c groundwater seepage has c r e a t e d a t r u e Sphagnum bog fn a smal l p a r t of t h e b a s h .

A. Vege ta t i on

Radford and P e t e r k e n (1969) r e p o r t e d t h a t 150 - 200 p l a n t s p e c i e s grow f n t h e b a s i n , many o f which do n o t occu r e l s ewhere i n Tunf s i a . The bog, which is on ly a few s q u a r e me te r s i n s i z e , is dominated by s e v e r a l speckes of Sphagcum moss, p r i m a r i l l y - S. subsecundum. O the r s p e c i e s i n and a t t h e edge of t h e bog i n c l u d e :

E l e o c h a r s s m u l t i c a u l i s Montia fon t ana Hypericum a f rum A n g a l l i s c r a s s s p e s Holcus l a c a t u s P o t e n t i l l a repens B e l l i s r epens Hylocomium sp . J u c c ~ s sp .

Surrounding t h e bog a r e s o l i g e n o u s mire communities of

E r i c a s c o p a r i a Phragmi tes conmuxis Asphodel i s microcarpus I s o e t e s h y s t r i x

The f o r e s t ecosystem around t h e b a s i n is dominated by

Quercus c a n a r i e n s i s E r i c a a rbo rea Q. s u b e r Calycotome v i l l o s a Cra taegus monogyna

B. I n f l u e n c e s

The bog was fenced a t one t ime t o p r o t e c t i t from g r a z i n g and t rampl ing , bu t i t i s d o u b t f u l t h a t t h e f e ~ c e h a s been main ta ined . The smal l ecosystem would be ve ry s e n s i t i v e t o tramp1ir.g o r a r y o t h e r form of vege t a t i on d i s r u p t i o n o r removal. S ince t h e bog i s o c l y a few square meters i n s i z e , r a r e s p e c i e s of p l a n t s could be e l imina t ed by a s i n g l e days graz ing . The s i t e i s know. t o be impor t ac t f o r i t s m i q x e v e g e t a t i o n , bu t l i t t l e s t u d y h a s been made of t h e faxna .

There a r e f i v e maic moccta ic systems ir. T w i s i a ( f i & ~ ~ r e F) : t he Krocnirie/t:ogod chair . i c t h e c o r t h ; t h e T i i c i s i a r Dorsa l racge from t h e wes t -cec ter t o Cap Boc; t h e High T e l l - spread be tueec t h e Krocmirie/l.logods acd t h e Tcr . i s iac Dorsa l ; t h e n o s c t a i c s of t h e High Steppe i c c e c t r a l T c c i s i a ; and t h e Doui ra t moccta ics of t h e s o ~ t h . E o s t of t h e f o r e s t s of T u r i s i a a r e l o c a t e d i n t h e moucta ics acd t h e s t e e p rcgged s l o p s s provide s a c c t u a r y f o r macy s p e c i e s of ac imals .

The c l i m a t e i . c t h e mocc ta i c s d i f f e r s from t h e scr roccdi r .g r eg iocs . P r e c i p i t a t i o c r a t e s i c c r e e s e 20 mm f o r every 700 mm i r c r e a s e j c a l t j t u d e . The smmits r e c e i v e p r e c i p i t a t i o c i c t h e form of r a i c , h a i l a r d evec s c o - ~ ~ . Ar, impor tac t s o o r c e of a d d i t i o n a l mo i s t c r e is c louds ar.d f o g , which occi;r ever :c t h e d ry s m m e r s easocs . Temperat1:res a r e a l s o c s o l e r i c t h e n o c c t a i c s ; e s p e c i a l l y t h e h5gh n o x t a i c s n f t h e cor thwes t .

Except f o r t h e Krocnirie/Wogods i c t h e Wsmid c z r t h , most cf t he m o x t s i r f 3 r e s t s a r p degraded acd s e v e r e e r o s i o c i s c o x o c . F i e l w ~ o d c c t t i c g has c a i s e d mcch of t h e d e g r a d a t j o r acd o v e r g r a z j ~ e a c c e l e r a t e s e ros ioc . C - l t i v a t i o r - o r t h e s l o p e s a l s o i c c r e a s e s e r o s i o c - e s p e c i a l l y uher t h e c o z r t D ~ r s a r e cst f o l l o w e d - ard d e c r e a s e s h a b i t a t q ~ a l i t y .

n l h ~ , t h e f a c t o r s t o which m3.x-taic ecosystems a r e mast s e r s S t i v e i r c l ~ d e :

Z r o s i o c c a l ~ s i c g a c t i v i t i e s : - Overg raz i ce - V e g e t a t i o c c c t t i n g f o r fuelwood acd fodder - C ~ l t i v a t i o c

- S o i l l o s s

A l t e r a t i o r of f r a g i l e a l p i n e meadows

The Krocmirie m o m t a i c r acge e c t e r s T c c i s j a a t t h e co r thwes t c o r c e r acd ex t ecds c o r t h e a s t , t o t h e n o r t h of Jecdouba acd Reja acd p a r a l l e l t o t he coas t . A t !Jefza t h e moucta ins t a p e r o f f acd t h e e r i s e o p a g a i n a s t h e Nogods, which ex t ecd t o B i z e r t e . The average a l t i t s d e va r5es from 400 t o 800 n (OKUPAA : 9 8 5 ) and r e a c h e s 1203 rn a t D jebe l Rhorra or. t h e k l g e r i a c border .

The co r thwes t i s t h e c o o l e s t acd w e t t e s t p a r t nf T i x j s i a . ?enpera t l i re acd p roc ip i t a t i o r . ir. t h e r e g i o c var:r great1.r wi th a l t ~ t ; d e a r ? ?Xpgsi:e. The !*;editerrar.ear Sea m ~ d ~ r a t e s t he c l j m ~ t e o ~ t h e c o r t h s l z p e s arc! t h e c 3 r t i r e r . t a l j r f l ~ e c c e 9 s very evider.t o r t h ~ s o c t h e r r edpr of t h e c h a l r . E i o c l i n a t e s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e K r o c n j r i e / l : o ~ o d s & r e v a r l a c t s of t h e !-led5 t e r r a c e a r H a i d arc] Scbhsnid types .

Figure 8

Mountain Ranges of Tunisia

nediterranean

Kroumirie

Hogods

High Tell

Tunisian Dorsal

Mountains of the High Steppe

Douirat

The ~ r o u m i r i e / ~ o g o d s a r e composed of l i m e s t o n e , sands tone and c l a y from i n t h e o l i g o c e n e e r a . Dominant s o i l s a r e modera te ly a c i d i c and o f t e n leached. F o r e s t s o i l s a r e heavy, hydromorphic and f a i r l y r i c h t n w e l l decomposed humus (ONUPAA 1985). Poore r s o i l s i n u n f o r e s t e d a r e a s a r e f i n e r and l i g h t e r sandy-l imes. Secondary a o i l s i n c l u d e heavy v e r t i a o l s and hydromorphs a t b a s e s of s l o p e s and brown ca l ca reo i i s s o i l s .

Vegeta t ion . A v a s t f o r e s t o f Zen oak Quercus c a n a r i e n s i s and cork oak Quercus s u b e r once covered t h e Kroumirke/Mogods. S m a l l e r f o r e s t s o f & a f a r e s kermes oak & c o c c i f e r a and P inus p i n a s t e r a l a o grew. C lea r ing

-9

and c u l t i v a t i o n i n t h e lower v a l l e y s has reduced t h e e x t e n s i v e n e s s of t h e f o r e s t s , b u t t h e Kroumirie/Mogods a r e e t i l l t h e most f o r e s t e d r eg ions of Tunis ia . Cork oak f o r e s t predominates , s t r e t c h i n g from t h e A lge r i an border , th roughout t h e Kroumirie and f n t o t h e Mogods.

The v a r i a t i o n s i n a l t i t u d e , s o i l and c l i m a t e encompassed by t h e range of t he cork oak f o r e s t s r e s u l t s i n a d i v e r s i t y of a s s o c i a t e d v e g e t a t i o n types . Cuenot and Schoenenberger (1965) desc r ibed t h e primary a s s o c i a t i o n s acd v a r i a n t s of t h e v e g e t a t i o n primary a s s o c i a t i o r o r t h e h i g h e r mountains unders tory of v a r i o u s p r o p o r t i o r s o f :

E r i c a a r b o r e a C y t i s u s t r i f l o r u s Calycotome v i l l o s a C i s t ~ s s a l v i i f o l i a s

i r c o r t h e r c T u r i s i a . The c o n s i s t s of cork oak wi th an

Viburnum t i c u s Rubus u l m i f o l i u s Myrtus commuris

On lower moanta ins and s l o p e s t h e unde r s to ry c o c t a i c s many of t h e above s p e c i e s , b u t t h e more humid sh rub t y p e s a r e r ep l aced . There i s a l s o a g r e a t l y d i f f e r i n g h e r b l a y e r . Commoc a s s o c i a t i o c s a r e i n d i c a t e d by:

E r i c a a r b o r e a P i s t a c i a l e r t i s c u s Calycotome v i l l o s a Myrtus commu~is C i s t u s s a l v i i f o l i u s P h i l l y r e a a r g u s t i f o l i s media C . monspe l i ens i s

and a common v a r i a n t t h a t occu r s on d r i e r s l o p e s i s knd ica t ed by t h e presecce of Lavandula s t o e c h a s and:

E r i c a s c o p a r i a Genf s t a a s p a l a t h o i d e s Halimium ha l imi fo l ium TA G. u lckna

I n t h e Mogods, cork oak f o r e s t s a r e o f t e n mixed w t t h kermes oak, which becomes t h e dominant s p e c i e s i n many l o c a t i o n s . A common a s s o c i a t i o n i n c l u d e s t h e oaks and:

P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s E r i c a a r b o r e a Myrtus comrnunis

Viburrum t i n u s Rubus u l m i f o l i u s

A Lavandula s t o e c h a s v a r i a n t s i m i l a r t o t h e one desc r ibed above may .

occur on d r i e r s l o p e s . Where cork oak does n o t occu r , kermes oak i s o f t e n i n a s s o c i a t i o n v i ' th :

Arbutus unedo C i s t u s monspel iens is E r i c a m u l t i f l o r a P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s

Near t h e c o a s t t h e main a s s o c i a t i o n i s i n d i c a t e d by kermes oak, Teucrium f r u t i c a n s and dva r f palm Chamaerops humil i s . On t h e h igh s l o p e s and n o r t h f ac ing r a v i n e s o f t h e wes tern p a r t o f t h e Kroumirie , abundant r a i n and cool tempera tures c r e a t e f a v o r a b l e c o n d i t i o n s f o r a zen oak climax f o r e s t . Zen oak grovs i n dense s t a n d s , o f t e n vkth a c losed canopy t h a t r e s t r i c t s t h e growth of unde r s to ry t r e e s . More open s t a n d s c o n t a i n shrubs , such a s :

Cy t i sus t r i f l o r u s Myrtus communis E r i c a a r b o r e a Rubus u l m i f o l i u s Cra taegus oxycantha monogyna

but t h e most abundant p l a n t s a r e he rbs , i n c l a d i c g :

Agrimonia eupa t o r i a Ach i l l ea l i g u s t i c a Brachypodium sylva t icum Rumex tube rosus

v N A Cyclamec afr icanum P r u n e l l a v u l g a r i s

I n regard t o v c g e t a t i o c d i v e r s i t y , zen oak f o r e s t s i c c l u d e some i c t e r e s t i n g s p e c i e s groups a t t h e l i m i t of t h e i r range. The h i g h e s t peaks of Tun i s i a a r e t h e lower a l t i t u d i n a l l i m i t s of some h igh a l t i t u d e s p e c i e s , such a s :

r N A Lapsana communis macrocarpa I l e x a q u i f olium . U r t i c a d i o i c a C i rcaea l u t e t i a c e Carex s i l v a t i c a r N A Geum urbacum

v Ajuga r e p t a n s P l a t a c t h e r a b i f o l i a Hieracium pseudo-p i lo se l l a

I n terms of l o n g i t u d i n a l range , t h e zen oak f o r e s t s of T m i s i a a r e t h e e a s t e r n l i m i t of t h e fo l lowing s p e c i e s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e Kabylie mountains:

Quercus a f a r e s Fes tuca dryme j a Carex o l b i e n s i s S c u t e l l a r k a columr.ae P o t e n t i l l a micrantha r N A Doronicum a t l a c t i c u m Diac thus b a l b i s i i Geranium a t l a n t i c u m S a x i f r a g a v e r o n i c i f o l i a

There a r e a l s o ove r 200 s p e c i e s of mushrooms and numerous f e r n s , such a s :

r Blechnum s p i c a n t Ophioglossum lus i t an i cum Athy rium f i l i x - f emina r P h y l l i t i s s c o l o p e c d r i m

r D r y o p t e r i s a c u l e a t a r P t c r i s l o c g i f o l i a r D. f i l i x -mas

............................................................ v = Very Rare NA = North A f r i c a E~dernic r = Rare

Much of t h e Krourn i r i e /~ogods has been degraded from t h e cl imax v e g e t a t i o n type . Where t h e cork oak f o r e s t h a s been c l e a r e d , a maquis of hea the r ( ~ r i c a c e a e ) forms (ONUPAA 1985). The c h a r a c t e r t s t i c s p e c i e s of t h e hea the r maquis i n c l u d e ( ~ u e n o t 1965):

E r i c a a r b o r e a B r i z a maxima C i s t u s monspe l i ens i s K o e l e r i a pubescens Calycotome v i l l o s a T r i f o l i u m campestre P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s Fes tuca coe ru l e scens Arbutus unedo Cynosurus e c h i n a t u s P l a n t a g o s e r r a r i a B e l l i s s i l v e s t r i s Hypochaeris r a d i c a t a Ampelodesma maurktantca

o r , t h e r e may be a v a r i a n t t y p i f i e d by:

E r i c a scoparka T u b e r a r i a v u l g a r i s Lavandula s t o e c h a s P t e r i d i u m aqui l icum Halimiam ha l imi fo l ium Hedysarum c o r o n a r i u s

On t h e lower s l o p e s of t h e Kroumirie , e s p e c i a l l y a t t h e edges of t h e racgeS, t h e maquis a r e more l i k e l y t o i nc lude :

Olea europaea o l e a s t e r Chrysanthemum paludosum P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s Mentha pulegium Myrtas cornrumis Romulea l i n a r e s i i G e n i s t a f e r o x Centaurium sp ica tum Juccus baf o c i a s Gaudica f r a g i l i s Cichoriam i n t y b u s pumilum

o r Lavacdula v a r i a c t s . On dra ined s o i l s , t h e fo l l owing s p e c i e s a r e found:

Calycotome v i l l o s a Avena a l b a va r . ba rba t a G e n i s t a t r i c u s p i d a t a Hyparrhenia h i r t a T r i f olium a n g u s t i f o l i u m

I c t h e Mogods, t h e maquis a r e s t i l l dominated by and P i s t a c i a ( 0 l e a - l e n t i s c u s maquis ) , b u t t h e o t h e r a s s o c i a t e d s p e c i e s a r e o f t e n q u i t e d i f f e r e c t from t h o s e of t h e Kroumirie. Common a s s o c i a t i o n s i n c l u d e :

Jasminum f r u t i c a n s S t e l l a r i a media Rubus u l m i f o l i u s A r u m media Asparagus a l b u s Arisarum v u l g a r e G a l a c t i t e s tomentosa Ambrosia b a b s i i Cynosurus echknatus All ium chanaemoly U r t i c a p i l u l i f e r a Silybum marianum Ceras t ium glomeratum Cirs ium scabrum

I n f l u e n c e s . The s p e c i e s composi t ion and v e g e t a t i o n cover of t h e Kro ;un i r i e /~ogods have been changed from t h e o r i g i n a l v a s t oak f o r e s t s by t imber h a r v e s t i c g ; c l e a r i c g f o r c u l t i v a t i o c , p a s t u r e acd homes; g a t h e r i c g of f i rewood, f o r a g e , med ic i ca l acd e d i b l e p l a c t p r o d a c t s ; acd macipula t ion

of w a t e r r e s o u r c e s (dams, s t r e a m d i v e r s i o c ) . By 1943, French c o l o n i a l i s t s had h a r v e s t e d s o much oak from t h e Kroumir ie t h a t no l a r g e s t a n d s of trees g r e a t e r t h a c 1 meter i n d i a m e t e r were l e f t ( ~ i r . For . 1965) . Host of t h e wood was used f o r t h e r a i l r o a d s . Ic 1943 a l m o s t a l l o f t h e t r e e s were 10 t o 50 y e a r s o l d , w i t h o n l y a few o l d g r o v e s l e f t a t t h e former Ain Draham N a t i o n a l P a r k and s c a t t e r e d s p a r s e i n a c c e s s i b l e c lumps i n o t h e r a r e a s .

I n terms of b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y t h e h i g h e s t , s t e e p e s t , most i n a c c e s s i b l e a r e a s a r e t h o s e most l i k e l y t o succeed toward t h e n a t u r a l c l imax v e g e t a t i o n . O f f i c i a l p r o t e c t i o n o f some o t h e r a r e a s h a s r e s u l t e d i n d i v e r s e n a t a r a l v e g e t a t i o c and f a v o r a b l e w i l d l i f e h a b i t a t . Even l o c a t i o n s t h a t a r e h e a v i l y i n f l u e n c e d by p e o p l e a r e i m p o r t a n t t o t h e b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y i f t h e t h e c o n t i n u i t y of t h e oak f o r e s t i s m a i n t a i n e d . S t a r t i n g from t h e wes t , s i t e s o f s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t i n t h e Kroumirie/Mogods a r e d e s c r i b e d belaw.

3.4.1.1. E l F e i d j a

Aboat 60 km s o u t h w e s t of Tabarka t h e T u c i s i a / A l g e r i a b o r d e r c a r v e s westward t o eccompass t h e E l F e i d j a - D j e b e l Rhor ra m a s s i f . The summit of D j e b e l Rhorra ( 1 2 0 3 rn) i s o r t h e b o r d e r , which p u t s t h e s o a t h w e s t s l o p e i n T u n i s i a . E l F e i d j a i s a l a r g e m a s s i f ( o v e r 2 0 , 0 0 0 h a ) w i t h macy peaks and v a l l e y s r a c g i n g i c a l t i t u d e from 350 m t o 1110 rn a t D j e b e l S t a t i r .

Oc t h e h i g h peaks i s where t h e h i g h e s t p r e c i p i t a t i o n r a t e s i n North A f r i c a o c c a r (1500+ m / Y e a r ) . Scow f a l l s o c t h e h i g h peaks s e v e r a l times each w i c t e r a r d r e a c h e s t h e l a w e r s l o p e s a n a v e r a g e o f 4 t o 7 t i m e s p e r y e a r . D r i z z l e , m i s t and h a i l a l s o add t o t h e w a t e r reg ime , keep ing t h e a r e a humid, acd many s t r e a m s f l w t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r .

A. V e g e t a t i o c

Over 1 7 , 0 0 0 h a ( 8 5 % ) of E l F e i d j a i s f o r e s t e d . The h i g h e r s l o p e s of t h e m a s s i f a r e t h e most f a v o r a b l e l o c a t i o n s i c T u c k s i a f o r zen oak. A t t h e summit o f D j e b e l Rhor ra t h e r e i s a 160 h a a l p i n e meadow ( ~ i r . For . 1965) - t h e l a r g e s t of t h e few t h a t e x i s t i n T u r i s i a . A g rove o f t h e r a r e T u c i s i a / A l g e r i a endemic Q u e r c u s a f a r e s h a s a l s o b e e c r e p o r t e d t o e x i s t a t E l Fe id j a ( ~ i r . F o r . 1 9 f m n o t h e r ~ u n i s i a / ~ l g e r i a endemic p l a n t r e p o r t e d f o r E l F e i d j a i s G e c i s t a u l c i n a ( p o t t i e r - ~ l a ~ e t i t e 1979) .

S p e c i e s a d a p t e d t o t h e warmer t e m p e r a t u r e s and m o d e r a t e r a i n o f t h e cork oak s t a n d s and c l e a r i n g s i n c l u d e t h o s e t y p i c a l o f h e a t h e r o r Olea- l e c t i s c u s maquis and :

P r u n e l l a v u l g a r i s F i c a r i a v e r n a Cynosarus p o l y b r a c t e a t u s Al l ium t r i q u e t r u m G e c i s t a f e r o x A s p h o d e l i s m i c r o c a r p u s

N A Medicago s a t i v a e u - s a t i v a Smi lax a s p e r a Ampelodesma r n a a r i t a c i c a Daphce g r i d i a n C e r t a u r e a a f r i c a c u s t agoca Hel iar themum sp.

R A = Ngrth k f r i c a c E ~ d e r n i c

Undergrowth i n t h e zen oak s t a n d s c o n t a f n s ( ~ i r . For. 1965, Pe terken and Radford 1969):

Shrubs:

Herbs: v r r

Grasses: r

I l e x a q u i f olium Cerasus avium

Teucrium scorodonia A juga r e p t a n s P o t e n t i l l a micrantha S t e l l a r i a h o l o s t e a Luzula F o r s t e r i L. campes t r i s V i c i a s a t i v a V . d i s p e m a Cyclamec afr icanum S a c i c u l a europaea

Melica u n i f l o r a M. minuta

C y t i s u s t r i f l o r u s Agrimonia e u p a t o r i a

Smyrnium ro tund i fo l ium Asperula l a e v i g a t a Galium l a e v i g a t a

r N A Doronicum a t l a n t i c u m Geranium a t l a n t i c u m Asphodelis c e r a s i f e r u s

r Lamium bifidum Carex europea A c h i l l e a l i g u f s t i c a Lathyrus s p h e a r i c u s L. inconspicuus

Anthoxacthum odoratum

T h e b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y of t h e E l F e i d j a f o r e s t s i s i n d i c a t e d by some t h e con-domicant s p e c i e s . There a r e Mid-European type s p e c i e s a s w e l l t hose c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e Mediterranean f o r e s t .

Kid-Europeac Species : Sisymbriam a l l i a r i a Epilobium moctanum Agrimocia e u p a t o r i a r ~ e l i c a u n i f l o r a C i rcaea l u t e t i a n a P l a n t h a n t h e r a b i f o l i a S a c i c u l a europea

Medi ter ranean F o r e s t Species : Cardamine h i r s u t a S c u t e l l a r i a columnae Hypericurn afrum Phlomis herba v e n t i H. a u s t r a l e S p e c u l a r i a f a l c a t a La thy rus l a t i f o l i u s Arisarum vu lga re

e r e a r e a l s o maay tempera te European non-fores t s p e c i e s , such a

Li l ium candidum Fumaria o f f i c i n a l i s

r N A Geurn urbanum A c t h r i s c u s s y l v e s t r i s

Asperula a r v e n s i s Fed ia cornucopiae Draba verna V i c i a s a t i v a

........................................................... r = Rare N A = North Af r i ca Ecdernic

Other non - fo re s t a s s o c i a t i o n s i n c l u d e t h o s e of s ands tone ou tc rops , permanent s t r e a m s and a l p i n e meadows:

Sands tone Outcrops: C e l t i s a u s t r a l i s Polypodium vu lga re Acantha m o l l i s P o t e n t i l l a sp lendens Asplenium adiantum nignun Sedum c o e ~ l e u m A. t r i chotomanes S e l a g i n e l l a d e n t i c u l a t a Ruecus hypophyllum Umbil icus r o z i z e n t a l i s

Permanent Streams: S a l i x purpurea-he l ix Rubus f r u t i c o s a Rosa can ina Polypodium v u l g a r e

r Acer monspessulanum Ranunculus a q u a t i l i s Nerium o leande r Cyperaceaes

Alp ice Meadow: F i s s i d e c s t a x i f o l i u s Bryum t o r q u e s c e c s Mnium ucgula tum B. a lp icum

Two a d d i t i o c a l r a r e p l a n t s t h a t occur a t E l F e i d j a a r e Rutus incanescens and Rosa g a l l i c a .

Mammals. The E l F e i d j a mass i f has t h e h i g h e s t c o c c e n t r a t i o n of t h e r a r e barbary d e e r Cervus e l aphus barbarus i n T u n i s i a . Approximately 1,400 dee r i n h a b l t 18 ,000 ha of f o r e s t s acd c l e a r i n g s i n t h e a r e a , f eed ing on herbs and mas t . Wild boa r , j a c k a l , red f o x , common g e n e t , Alger ian hedgehog and North Af r i can c r e s t e d porcupine a r e a l s o commoc. Occas ioca l ly , r a r e l y c x - l i k e c a r a c a l Ca raca l c a r a c a l a r e r epo r t ed .

Bi rds . Abundant rock ou tc rops and c l i f f s a t E l F e i d j a provide h a b i t a t f o r d i u r ~ a l acd n o c t s r c a l r a p t o r s and o t h e r l e d g e o r c a v i t y n e s t i n g b i r d s . Many mig ra t ing b i r d s pas s through t h e f o r e s t i n t h e s p r i n g acd f a l l , and t h e r e i s a l s o a r i c h d i v e r s i t y of s e d e c t a r y s p e c i e s . Commoc b i r d s repor ted f o r E l F e i d j a (IUCK 1987) i n c l a d e :

Golden e a g l e Green woodpecker Chaff inch n Shor t - toed e a g l e Grea t spo t t ed woodpecker Blackcap n Sparrowhawk T u r t l e dove Spo t t ed f l y c a t c h e r

K e s t r e l Wood pigeon r F i r e c r e s t Tawny owl Grea t t i t Wren Cuckoo Coal t i t Raven

r = Rare n = Nes t ing B i rds

C. I r f l c e r c e s

Decse f o r e s t cove r normal ly p r o t e c t s t h e s t e e p s l o p e s from e r o s i o c , b ~ t t h e f o r e s t s have been a l t e r e d macy t imes by f i r e s a rd h m a r m a r i p e l a t i o r . More t h a r 50na o f t h e z e c oak have beec h i t by f l ames ( ~ i r . F o r . , l 9 6 5 ) , some o f which was a r e s u l t o f t h e Frecch-Alger iac war. Loca l i r h a b j t a r t s , F r e r ch c o l o r , i a l i s t s acd t h e A 1 g e r i . a ~ army a l l e x p l o i t e d t h e f o r e s t s , o f t ~ c l e a v i r e c l e a r i n g s o r m a q ~ i s t h a t d id n o t r e g e n e r a t e t o oak. F i r e b r e a k s v e r e a l s o c c t acd re-opeced every 3 y e a r s .

P a s t a c t i o r s s t i l l i c f l c e r c e t h e ecosystem today , a r d e x p l o i t a t i o r c o r t i n c e s by t h e l o c a l r e s i d e c t s . Cork h a r v e s t i c g - whi l e c o t d e s t r u c t i v e t o t he oaks - r e s i i l t s ir t rampled ~ n d e r e r o v t h and d i s t s r b a n c e t o t h e f a x a . Other f o r e s t p r o d u c t s , s c c h a s a c o r n s and Myrtiis c o n m ~ n i s branches a r e a l s o h a r v e s t e d .

T 1 P r i d j a \<as c ~ i r h a b i t e d c c t i l t h e l a t e 1800s wher t h e F re r ch a r r i v e d ( 2 i r e y : 364 ). 3~:ricg t h e : 960s t h e r e were a b o ~ t : ,900 hones w i th 5 ,000 n.. I ~ c ; s i a r s . who ~ u r ~ d 2,500 caws, 6 ,000 sheep a rd coats ard 600 equ ids . Ir ~ 3 3 ~ c a s e s t h e ~ c ~ l - p a t i o r s were i l l e p l . To f eed t h e i r a r i n a l s t h e people herded t hen thro.:gh c .5,000 ha t o g r a z e , acd c o l l e c t e d fodde r . Es t imated forage r..eds averaged 1855 of t h e s c s t a i r i a b l e prod5;ctior i r optincrn co~dit.lor-s for t h e forest. T h i s meacs that s e r i o u s ove rg raz ing h a s beec o c c c r i r e f o r nary y e a r s , a l t h o ~ i g h t h e l e v e l may have decreased s i r c e t h e 1363s. R e s i d e c t s have a l s o c l e a r e d p l o t s f o r r a i s i r g c e r e a l c r o p s - a D T E C ~ ~ C E c 3 ~ we l l adapted t o t h e c l i n a t j c c o r d i t i o r s o f t h e r e g 5 o ~ .

B a r t s r y d e e r v e r e comple t e ly e l j m i r a t e d from t h e a r e a betwecr 1954 and :962 ( ~ i r e y : 9 6 ~ ) . A f t e r t h e d e e r became a p r o t e c t e d s p e c i e s t hey imcigra ted t o E l Peid j a from A l g e r i a i r 1962. K i ld boa r , doves a r d p l g e x s a r e s t 5 1 1 h x t e d i r t h e a r e a .

To f ~ r t h e r p r o t e c t t h e d e e r a 4:7 ha r e s e r v e h a s bee r c r e a t e d . There a r e c ; r r e c t ~ r o p ~ s a l s t o c r e a t e a 2517 ha c a t i o c a l park a t 51 T e i d j a t o preserve t h e f o r e s t s a rd f a c r a ( s e e S e c t i o r 5 .4.6) .

3 . 2 Ain Draham

ASc Drahan is 40 km n o r t h e a s t o f E l F e i d j a acd 26 km s o c t h of Tabarka. Th€ r e g i o r a r o c r d t h e c i t y i s ve ry momta inons , t h o ~ g h c o t a s h igh a s B1 Fe: d j a .

Rorthwest of Air Drahan, o r t h e A l g e r i a r b o r d e r , i s Djcbe l Da raoc j , which i s f o r e s t e d t o zec oak and cork oak adfo ford arc! P e t e r k e c 1965) .

a r ? a l s o s e v e r a l o t h e r zen oak f o r e s t s iip t o s e v e r a l h x d t e d hecyares ir. s f z f t 9 t h e e a s t of Air Drahan. Ore o f t h o s e f o r e s t s , Air T , ~ ~ - ~ ( 4 , . - :. kr? 5: of Air- k h h a n ) , c o r t a i ~ s h 5 ha g r cve o f t h e r a r e

Tuni s i a /Alge r i a endemic Quercus a f a r e s . Associa ted v e g e t a t i o n inc ludes : .

I l e x aqukfolium San icu la europaea C y t i s u s t r i f l o r u s Brachypodfum s i l v a t i c u m E r i c a a rbo rea Athyrium fk l ix- femina Arbutus unedo r P o t e n t P l l a micrantha Luzala f o r s t e r i S a x i f r a g a v e r o n i c i f o l i a

r A l l i a r i a o f f i c i n a l i s r Viola odora t a r D r y o p t e r i s a c u l e t a P r u n e l l a v u l g a r i s

r = Rare

Two s t a n d s of a l eppo p i n e Pinus ha l epens i s e x i s t 3 km nor thwest and 5 km c o r t h e a s t of Fernana. Each s t and i s c.300 ha i n s i z e . The i n t e r s p e r s i o n of t h e a leppo p ine s t a n d s i n t o t h e oak f o r e s t i n c r e a s e s t h e ecotone , o r t r a n s i t i o n zone, between t h e Kroumirie and t h e High T e l l .

B i o l ~ g i c a l d i v e r s i t y i n t h e a r e a i s enhacced by t h e Dar Fatma bog ( s e e S e c t i o r 3.3 .4 .5 ) acd somewhat by t h e Beni Mtir r e s e r v o i r . The r e s e r v o i r provides a f r e s h w a t e r r e s t a r e a f o r migra t ing water fowl and waders, but t h e deep water and u rvege ta t ed edges do no t f a v o r c o n t i n u a l use by l a r g e numbers of ac imals . Downstream from t h e dam, t h e Oued Melah i s vegeta ted by Neriun o l e a r d e r , Laurus n o b i l i s , Hypericum androsaemum and o t h e r r i p a r i a n p l a c t s acd i t is repor t ed t o be used by mongoose and r a r e o t t e r s Lutra l u t r a . -- B. I r f l a e c c e s

E x p l o i t a t i o c of f o r e s t v e g e t a t i o n and c l e a r i n g f o r c u l t f v a t i o n o r developmert a r e t h e maic f a c t o r s a f f e c t i n g t h e ecosystems.

3.4.1.3. Tabarka

0c the Med i t e r r anea r c o a s t , Tabarka i s t h e no r thwes te rn most c i t y i n T a c i s i a . The Kroumirie mauntains drop a b r u p t l y t o t h e s e a t o t h e west of Tabarka a a d subs ide more g e n t l y t o t h e e a s t .

A. Vegeta t ion

F o r e s t s i n t h e a r e a a r e domknated by cork oak and o c c a s i o n a l l y c o n t a i n Zen oak a r d a l eppo p ine . Southwest of Tabarka t h e r e i s a mari t ime p ine .. -

Pinus p i c a s t e r s sp . r enou i f o r e s t nea r t h e Alge r i an border . Th i s 5;500 ha - n a t u r a l f o r e s t i s t h e l a r g e s t of i t s type i n Tun i s i a . Cork oak i s mixed i c wi th t h e f o r e s t , b u t i t does n o t grow w e l l on t h e a c i d i c s o i l . Other a s soc ia t ed s p e c i e s i n c l u d e :

Erkca scoparium P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s E. a r b o r e a Lavacdula s t o e c h a s Halimiam ha l imi fo l ium Teucrium f r a t i c a c s Arbatas u r e d ~

B. Fauca

To t h e west of Tabarka i s Ain Baccouch, a n a r e a c o n t a i n i n g 50 - 100 barbary dee r . The s i t e i s f o r e s t e d t o cork oak, w i t h eome zen oak and marktime p i n e (IUCN 1987) and has been des igna t ed a p e r m a n e ~ t r e s e r v e t o p r o t e c t i t from hun t ing , e x p l o i t a t i o n and grazkng ( s e e S e c t i o n 5.4.10).

3.4.1.4. Nefza

Where t h e Kroumirie e n d s and t h e Mogods beg in , t h e r e 2 s a v a l l e y con ta in ing t h e northward f l owing Oued Madena and t h e C i t y o f Nefza. The Mogods a r e lower and n o t as s t e e p a s t h e Kroumirie and most of t h e lower s l o p e s and v a l l e y s have been c u l t i v a t e d .

A. Vegeta t ion

There a r e some w e l l f o r e s t e d a r e a s l e f t i n t h e r e g i o c , such as t h e B e l i f f o r e s t . B e l i f i s c la imed t o be one of t h e most p roduc t ive cork oak f o r e s t s i n T u c i s i a . I n 1974 t h e f o r e s t was h i t by a t o rnado t h a t des t royed most of t h e t r e e s i r i t s path. I n 1987, dense v igo rous r e g e c e r a t i o n covered t h e a f f e c t e d a r e a . The r e g e n e r a t i n g s t a n d i s p ro t ec t ed froui g r a z i n g and o t h e r e x p l o i t a t i o n . Unders tory v e g e t a t i o n i n t h e f o r e s t i n c l u d e s :

Calycotome v i l l o s a Daphne gnidsum Cra t aegus oxycac thus monogyca Asphodelus microcarpus C . a z a r o l a s Rubus u l m i f o l i u s

vT Teucrium r a d i c a n s Alnus g l u t i n o s a r T. pseado-scorodonia

A t t h e n o r t h end of t h e B e l i f f o r e s t i s t h e f o r e s t o f M'hibes. Cork oak i s domica r t , b a t kermes oak i s a l s o commoc, and becomes dominant toward t h e c o a s t . Assoc i a t ed s p e c i e s i n c l u d e :

Olea europaea o l e a s t e r Teucrium f r u t i c a n s P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s C i s t u s s a l v i i f o l i u s Myrtus commucis C. monspe l i ens i s E r i c a a r b o r e e P t e r i d i u m aqui l inum Chamaerops h u m i l i s

J u s t s o u t h of Nefza a t D j e b e l Abiod and f u r t h e r s o u t h a t D jebe l S i d i Ahmed a r e two mo .~n ta in r anges d o m i ~ a t e d by ca rob C e r a t o n i a s i l i q u a and O l e a - l e c t i s c u s fo rma t ions , a long wi th :

Rhamnas a l a t e r n u s P h i l l y r e a a n g u s t i f o l i a R . l y c i o i d e s s s p o l e o i d e s s s p l a t k f o l i a

South of D jebe l S i d i Ahmed i s Djebel Rhenza, t h e l o c a t i o n of aE

i s o l a t e d s t a c d of a l e p p o p i n e and Arbutus unedo.

................................................................ v = Very Rere T = T u c i s i a Endemic r = Rare

B. Fauca

Between 50 and 150 ba rba ry d e e r e x i s t i n t h e M'hibes f o r e s t (IUCN 1987). Wild boa r , j a c k a l , red fox , brown h a r e , and many s p e c i e s o f b a t s and rodec t s a l s o occu r n e a r Nefza.

C. I n f l u e n c e s

Timber h a r v e s t i n g is c a r e f u l l y monitored by t h e F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e , bu t t h e r e is an unknown amount of g r a z i n g and c o l l e c t i o n of fodde r in t h e f o r e s t s . Myrtus and E r i c a branches a r e a l s o ha rves t ed . A t M'hibes a 370 ha r e se rve has been c r e a t e d t o p r o t e c t t h e r a r e ba rba ry d e e r .

3.4.1.5. Se jnane

Toward t h e e a s t e r n end of t h e Mogods, co rk oak i s r ep l aced by kermes oak maquis. The co rk oak t h a t does occur i s u s u a l l y s p a r s e , shows poor growth acd i s mixed w i t h kermes oak and a s s o c i a t e d s p e c i e s . Betweec Se jcane acd Tamra t h e r e i s an example o f such a maquis, i c c l a d i n g E r i c a s c o p a r i a , Myrtus communis and Gen i s t a ferox. I n t h e c l e a r i n g s t h e r e a r e two uncommoc p l a n t s t h a t on ly occur i n t h i s a r e a : I s o e t e s v e l a t a va r . t yp i ca a ~ d t h e r a r e ~ u n i s i a / ~ l g e r i a endemic Armeria s p i n u l ~ a d f o r d and Pe terken 1969).

An example o f t h e c l imax v e g e t a t i o n type can be seen a t a p l ace n o r t h e a s t of Se jnane by road MC51. Cal led "Sacred Wood" by Radford and Pe t e rkec (19691, t h e s i t e c e n t e r s around an o l d b u r i a l s h r i c e . Out o f r e spec t f o r t h e s h r i n e t h e t r e e s a r e n o t c u t , b u t l i v e s t o c k i s brought i n t o t h e f o r e s t and t h e ground i s almost bare . The approximate ly 2 h a s t and i s dominated by:

Que rcus s u b e r Myrtus commmis Olea europaea o l e a s t e r Daphne gcidium P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s Calycotome v i l l o s a

A t t h e n o r t h e a s t end of t h e Mogods t h e h i l l s a r e lower and g e n t l y s lop ing . Kermes oak i s r ep l aced by O l e a - l e n t i s c u s maquis and c u l t i v a t i o n a t t h e e a s t e r n end u n t i l Ras e l Ahmar on t h e c o a s t . T h e r e , a l a r g e , i s o l a t e d a l e p p e p i n e f o r e s t grows wi th a n u n d e r s t o r y of kermes oak and:

P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s Retama monosperma J u n i p e r u s oxycedrus Chamaerops h u m i l i s J . phoenicea Lycium sp .

3.4.1.6. D jebe l I c h k e u l

0c t h e s o u t h s i d e of Lake I c h k e u l ( S e c t i o n 3.3.1.1) i s Djebe l I chkeu l , an ou t ly ing mountain of t h e Mogods cha in . t h e moucta ic has a c a l t i t a d e of 511 m acd descecds t o Lake I c h k e u l on t h e c o r t h s i d e , t h e S e j c a c e marsh oc t h e wes t , Djoumice marsh oc t h e e a s t and t h e Mateur p l a i n t o t h e south .

A. Vege ta t i on

The mountaic i s dominated by a c O l e a - l e n t i s c u s rnaqais (UCL 1977) wi th P h i l l y r e a a c g a s t i f o l i a and Smilax a s p e r a mixed ic. The maquis i s a l s o i n t e r s p e r s e d wi th Chamaerops h u m i l i s on rocky r i d g e s , and J a c i p e r ~ s phoenicea o c t h e c o r t h skde of t h e peak and i r t h e n o r t h e a s t c o r c e r . Euphorbia dendro ides dominates t h e maquis o c t h e west acd s o a t h e a s t s i d e s . Other s p e c i e s of i n t e r e s t i c c l u d e :

T Teucrium schoenecbe rge r i Notholaeca v e l l e a T Limocium b o i t a r d i i C e r a t o c i a s i l i q u a

C a l l i t r i s a r t i c u l a t a

Smal l , opec g l a d e s o f s h o r t maquis, mos t ly oc t h e no r thwes t vege ta ted by

Hordeum maritimam Fe ru l a commucis

B. Faara

t u r f g r a s s l a n d a r e i c t e r s p e r s e d i n t h e s i d e o f t h e summit. The g l a d e s a r e

L a g u n s ova tus Asphodelus microcarpss

The fauna o f Djebel I c h k e u l i s s i m i l a r t o t h a t de sc r ibed f o r Lake I c h k e a l ( S e c t i o c 3.3.1 . I )

C. I c f l a e c c e s

Act ive q a a r r i e s a r e d i s f i g u r i c g t h e s o a t h s i d e o f t h e mmictain, and g r a z i c g a l s o occurs t h e r e . The r e s t o f t h e mountain acd i t s v e g e t a t i o c is wel l p r o t e c t e d . D jebe l I c h k e a l i s inc luded wi th Lakc I c h k e z l i n t h e I chkea l Na t iona l park ( s e e S e c t i o n 5.4.2) .

3.4.2. High T e l l

Between t h e Kroumirie and t h e T u n i s i a n Dorsa l mozntain ranges is a c a r e a of mouctaics and h igh p l a t e a u s c a l l e d t h e High T e l l . The mean a l t i t u d e of t h e p l a t e a a s is 600 t o 800 m and t h e h i g h e r moactaic peaks pas s 1000 m (ONUPAA 1985). The mountain c h a i n s a r e o r j e n t e d SW-HE acd a r e s epa ra t ed by d e p r e s s i o c s acd c u l t i v a t e d p l a i n s . The s o i l s of t h e r e g i o c a r e most ly c a l c a r e o u s , bu t many l o c a t i o n s c o n t a i n s ands tone , gypsum, marnes and a l l u v i a l d e p o s i t s . Three main r i v e r s run throagh t h e High T e l l : Oued Re l l egae , Oaed Tessa , and Oued S i l i a n a , a l l o f which f low i c t o t h e Medjerda. B ioc l ima te s range from Subhumid i c t h e nor thwes t t o Semi- a r i d i c t h e south .

The High T e l l i s more a f f e c t e d by f o r e s t c l e a r i n g acd ove rg raz i cg t h a c t h e Kroami r i e /~ogods . C u l t i v a t i o c e x t e n d s f a r u p many o f t h e s l o p e s , acd even o r t o some of t h e p l a t e a u s . Thas, t h e f o r e s t s t a n d s a r e b r o k ~ c z p i c t o d i s c o n t i n z o s segrnects. Hunt icg of wild boa r , browr ha re , barbary

p a r t r i d g e , q u a i l and doves occu r s a t a moderate l e v e l , bu t poaching is a s e r i o u s problem. Barbary hyeca and Cuv ie r ' s g a z e l l e s could d i s p e r s e i c t o t h e High T e l l from t h e T a n i s i a c Dorsa l mountain range, but most of t h e h a b i t a t i s e i t h e r of poor q u a l i t y o r i c s u f f i c i e c t l y pro tec ted .

3.4.2.1. Chardimaou t 6 Le Kef

Ic t h e northwest p a r t of t h e High T e l l , sou th o f Chardimaou, t h e r e a r e O lea - l en t i s czs maquis ( ~ u b u s a l m i f o l i i i s v a r i a c t i c Humid b ioc l ima tes and Smilax a spe ra v a r i a c t i c Sabhumid b i o c l i m a t e s ) s i m i l a r t o t hose of t h e lower south s lopes of t h e Kroumirie. South end e a s t of t h e Olea - l en t i s cus maquis, a leppo p ine becomes dorninact. Aleppo p ine occurs throughout t h e High T e l l i c a s s o c i a t i o n wi th v a r i o u s o t h e r s p e c i e s according t o c l i m a t e acd s o i l f a c t o r s .

O r h i g h e r , l e s s d i s t u r b e d s l o p e s a l eppo p ine i s o f t e c mixed wi th holm oak Querczs *. I n t h e Subhumid l o c a t i o n s s o s t h o f Ghardimaoa acd no r th of Tebozrsosk t h e p i c e acd oak a r e a s s o c i a t e d wi th s p e c i e s grosps

i c d i c a t e d by: Catacacche c o e r ~ l e a o r Colu tea a rbo rescecs acd c o ~ t a i c i c g P i s t a c i a t e r e b i c t h u s Arbatus unedo

A c t h y l l i s v u l n e r a r i a P h i l l y r e a a c g a s t i f o l i a media Lonicera implexa P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c u s Rabia p e r e g r i c a J;;niper;ls oxycedrus rv fe scens Aspleci..irn adiactum cigrum P i s t a c i a t e r e b i n t h u s

Medicago tune taca

Degraded a r e a s of t h e s e a s s o c i a t i o n s w i l l c o n t a i n

Rosmaricus o f f i c i c a l i s C i s t u s v i l l o s ~ . i s F~rnaca t h y m i f o l i a Cistss mocspel iens is

Heliacthemam cineream r ~ b e l l u m

The summit of Djebel Medjembia (20 km NW of Le ~ e f ) is vegeta ted t o holm oak acd P i s t a c i a t e r e b i c t h a s wi thout a l eppo p ine . Other a s s o c i a t e d spec i e s i n c l u d e :

Ampelodesma maur i t ac i ca Cra taegas a z a r o l u s Calycotome v i l l o s a B e l l i s s i l v e s t r i s C i s t a s v i l l o s u s Che i l ac thes p t e r i d i o i d e s P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c u s Prassum ma jus P h i l l y r e a a n g u s t i f o l i a media Orch i s p r o v i n c i a l i s

Th i s a s s o c i a t i o c a l s o occurs a t t h e sammits o f Djebel S e r d j , Djebel Bargou and t h e p l a t e a a de Kessera i n t h e Tun i s i an Dorsa l mouctain range. Soiithwest of t h e r e g i o c of Sabumid b i o c l i m a t e s t h e r e i s a wicding s t r i p o f lacd i c t h e Semi-arid Supe r io r b i o c l i m a t e t h a t i s vegeta ted t o a leppo p i c e acd rosemary Rosmaricss o f f i c i c a l i s . The p i c e is o f t e c poor i c form acd

s p a r s e , acd t h e r k e m a q is mixed wi th :

P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c u s Teucrium pseado-chamaepitys Calycotomc v i l l o s a B-~pleurum ba l acsae G loba la r i a a l y p ~ m Lo tophy l l a s a r g e c t e u s C i s t a m o c s p e l i e c s i s Fumaca e r i c o i d e s E r i ca m u l t i f l o r a F. l a e v i p e s Gec i s t a c i c e r e a F. t hymi fo l i a

Other s p e c i e s such a s Ampelodesma m a u r i t a c i c a acd L y g m s ~ a r t u m i n d i c a t e marcous acd gypsoas s o i l s , r e s p e c t i v e l y . T h i s type o f v e g e t a t i o c ex t ends from S a k i e t S i d i Y o ~ s s e f on t h e A l g e r i a c bo rde r acd winds i ts way t o Djebcl T o a i l a , c o r t h of Le Kef. A f t e r t h a t i t i s found on most o f t h e moacta ics t o t h e nor thwes t a s f a r a s Tuc i s .

Acother a s s o c i a t i o c foacd betweec Ghardimaoa acd Le Kef t h a t occu r s extecs:vely t h r o i g h o ~ t t h e High T e l l i s t h e group o f a leppo p i ce acd J . i r2pe r i s phoccicea. Spec i e s c h a r a c t e r i z i c g t h i s a s s o c i a t i o c i c c l u d e :

P i t s r a c t h o s c h l o r a c t h z s Famaca thymi fo l i a Rosmsriczs o f f i c i c a l i s F. e r i c o i d e s C j s t a s l i b a c o t i s Avena bromoides G l o b . ~ l a r i a a l y ~ ~ m Te.acrium pse.~do-chamaepi tys E b e n s p i n a t a

This a s s o c i a t i o r i s a l s o commoc i n t h e T a n i s i a c Dorsal moactaic range acd i s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of Semi-arid I r f e r i o r b ioc l ima te s . The a r i d i - t y caases va rg i cg d e c s i t i e s of a l eppo p ine acd j u n i p e r , o f t e n r e s u l t i n g i n very oper. s t a n i s .

The m o ~ c t a i c r i d g e s ex ter -d icg c o r t h e a s t from Le Kef a r e a g a i c i n t h e Semi-erid S a p e r i o r b i o c l i n a t e acd s u p p o r t a s s o c i a t i o n s of aleppo p i c e , - . ~

holm oak a r d - E r i c a m . d t i f l o r a . his- v e g e t a t i o c type i s s c a t t e r e d ove r s e v e r s 1 mouctain r i d g e s t o t h e e a s t acd i s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by:

Rosnar icas o f f i c i c a l i s Lotophyl lus a r g e c t e u s C l o b z l a r i a alypum G e c i s t a c i n e r e a B.iplear~m b a l a c s a c Avena bromoides Famaca t h y n i f o l i a S i d e r i t i s i c c a c a F. e r i c o i d e s

3.4.2.2. Le Kef t o t h e T u n i s i a c Dor sa l

The ma jo r i t y of t h e r eg ion t o t h e s o a t h and e a s t o f Le Kef is c ~ l t i v e t e d . 0 e t h e moactaic t o p s acd r i d g e s a r e h e a v i l y grazed acd macip, i la ted s t a c d s of a leppo p ine and a s s o c i a t e d v e g e t a t i o c . Most of t h e a s s o c i ~ t i o r s a r e morn a r i d v a r i a c t s of t h o s e d i sczs sed above. Of s p e c i a l i c t c r e s t i s t h e replacemeet of t h e a l e p p o p j c c - rosemary Kroap by a l eppo - - -

p i c e - J z r i p e r z s ~ h o e r i c e a s sp . m f e s c e c s . Kacy of t h e s p e c i e s c h a r a ~ r e r i z j c g ttc t v o g rosps a r e t h e same. Whec t h e aleppo - j un ipe r grozp i s degraded i t i s i rvaded by rosemary.

The a leppo p ine - t h e aouthern a r e a s t o l a t t e r group has many

holm oak - E r i c a r n u l t i f l o r a group i s a l s o a l t e r e d i n a leppo p ine - holm oak - Erinacea a c t h y l l i s . The s p e c i e s i n commoc wi th t h e degraded v a r i a c t of t h e

former.

Most of t h e h i l l s a r e domicated by t h e a l eppo p i ce - rosemary group descr ibed above. On t h e lower s l o p e s of some o f t h e h i l l s a group of aleppo p i ce - j xn ipe r - D i p l o t a x i s h a r r a occurs . T h i s i s a grcup t y p i c a l of Semi-arid I c f e r i o r b i o c l i m a t e s o c c u r r i c g i n a r eg ion of maicly Semi- a r i d Supe r io r vege ta t ion types . Other s p e c i e s i r d i c a t i n g t h e dry l a r d v e g e t a t i o c type a r e :

Tucica i l l y r i c a ssp. a n g u s t i f o l i u s Anabasis oropedioram Artemisia herba a l b a S t i p a p a r v i f l o r a

Another i c t e r e s t i n g v e g e t a t i o c group e a s t o f T e b o a r s o ~ k is the t of carob - Olea - l ec t i s cus - Jasmicum f r a t i c a c s . Th i s grw;p i s f r c q s e c t l y accomparied by:

Arisarum valga r e B e l l e v a l i a rnaari tacica A r m i t a l s c u m Ambrosicia b a s s i i Rhamcus l y c i o i d e s o l e o i d e s

The t e r r a i c becomes lower acd f l a t t e r t o t h e e a s t . C ~ l t i v a t i o c is p redon i r a t e except oc some h i l l s occ3pied by a l e p p ~ p ine acd rosemary, o r i~ depres s ions w i t h h a l o p h i l e v e g e t a t i o n such a s a t Sebkhet Ko3rzia ( ~ e c t i o c 3.3.2.3).

3 . 4 . T u c i s i a c Dorsal

The Tan i s i an Dorsal i s t h e n o r t h e a s t e r n e x t e n s i o c of t h e A t l a s moucta ics , which beg ic i c Morocco, p a s s through Alge r i a and e n t e r Tun i s i a a t Bou Chebka, 35 km west of Kasse r i ce . Guecod and Schoececberger (1965) cocs ide red t h e T a c i s i a c Dorsa l a s i n c l u d i n g t h e peaks of Djebe ls Chambi, Semmama, Tiouacha, Barbrou, S e r d j , Bargou, F k i r i n e and Zagouan, whkch a r e o r i e c t e d f a i r l y r e g u l a r l y SW-NE. I n t h i s documect t h e T u c i s i a c Dorsal w i l l be cons idered a s i n c l u d i n g t h e above mentioned 'backbone' r i d g e and t h e a d j a c e c t moanta ics , such a s D j e b e l s B i r eno , Se r r agu ia , Oum Jeddour, K r h i l a , Trozza, Ousse l a t , and Macsoar. The range a l s o ex tends beyocd Djebe l Zaghoaac t o Cap Boc and i n c l u d e s D j e b e l s Ressas, Bou Komine and S i d i Abder Rahmace. A s t h e mountains ex t end n o r t h e a s t they g r a d u a l l y dec rease i n a l t i t ~ d e . D jebe l Chambi i c t h e southwes t i s T u c i s i a ' s h i g h e s t p o i c t a t 1544 m while D j . S i d i Abder Rahmane i n t h e c o r t h e a s t ha s a maximum a l t i t a d e of o c l y 637 m.

The Tuc i s i an Dorsa l is composed p r i m a r i l y of c a l c a r e o a s r m k . S o i l s a r e s i ~ i l a r t o t hose of t h e High T e l l - ca lc imorph with macy d e p o s i t s of s eed , gypsum acd marccz. Hot, d ry sammers ar.d s tormy p r e c i p i t a t i o c p a t t e r c s make t h e a r e a e s p e c i a l l y v u l c e r a b l e t o e r o s i o c . Kacy of t h e s o z t h s l o p e s a r e s e v e r e l y eroded acd sed imen t l o a d s i c r i v e r s a r e high. The t h r e e most impor tan t r i v e r s o r i g i c a t i c g i c t h e racge a r e t h e Oueds Nebhara, E a r g s e l i l ( E l ~ e r d ) acd Zeroud ( E l ~ a t o b ) a l l o f which f low i n t o Sebkhet Kelb ia ( s e c t i o n 3.3.2.4).

Domicact f o r e s t s p e c i e s o f t h e T u c i s i a n Dorsa l a r e holm oak acd a l eppo p i c e i c t h e soa thwes t acd c e c t e r , t o which a r e added thuya C a l l i t r i s a r t i c u l a t a acd kermes oak i c t h e c o r t h e a s t . Holm oak of te r . grows a s a maquis 2-3 m t a l l or. mouctaic sammits o r a s a c unde r s to ry i n a leppo p ine . - ~

f o r e s t s o r browc c a l c a r e o u s s o i l s . J u n i p e r u s phoenicea i s commoc i c t h e u c d e r s t o r y of a leppo p i c e oe poore r s o i l s and a t lower e l e v a t i o n s . I t becomes t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s p e c i e s i c degraded s t a n d s .

3.4.3.1. D jebe l Chambi

F i f t e e c k i l o m e t e r s west of K a s s e r i n e i s D j . Chambi, e s s e c t i a l l y t h e f i r s t h igh peak of t h e T u c i s i a c Dor sa l a s i t e n t e r s from Alger ia . From a summit a l t i t u d e of 1544 m , Chambi d rops t o 565 m a l t i t u d e a t t h e base. Along wi th t h e t y p i c a l s u b s t r a t e s of t h e T u c i s i a n Dorsa l t h e r e a r e a l s o d e p o s i t s of z i n c , g a l e c a , h e m a t i t e ( i r o n o r e ) and t r a c e s of c o a l ic t h e Chambi massif ( ~ i r . For. 1981 ).

The c l i m a t e a t Chambi i s somewhat d i f f e r e n t from nearby Kasser ine , s i c c e t h e p r e c i p i t a t i o n r a t e i n c r e a s e s 20 mm f o r every 100 q i n c r e a s e i n a l t i t a d e . The re fo re t h e r e l a t i v e l y d r y p l a i c s ( semi-ar id s u p e r i o r ) c o n t r a s t g r e a t l y wi th t h e Subhumid summit, which r e c e i v e s 12.500 mm annual p r e c i p i t a t i o c i c t h e form of r a i c , h a i l and sr.ow wi th a d d i t i o n a l mois ture from c l c ~ z d s acd fog .

A. Vege ta t i oc . Ac i c t e r e s t i n g s u c c e s s i o c o f holm oak a t t h e summit, pa s s i cg aleppo

p i c e oc t h e s l o p e s acd r each icg a n e s p a r t o S t i p a t e n a c i s s i n a s teppe a t t h e base e x i s t s a t Chambi. The holm oak a s s o c i a t i o n of t h e sammit i n c l a d e s ( ~ e t e r k e c and Radford 1969, ORSTOK 1962, D i r . For. 1981 ) :

Paronychia a r g e n t e a Amelanchier o v a l i s P h i l l y r e a a c g u s t i f o l i a media

r N A Sorbus a r i a r N A Cotoneas te r r acemi f lo ra

C. numalaria P r ~ n u s p r o s t r a t a Rosa s i c ~ l a

v Delphicium b a l a c s a e r N A A Campacula a t l a n t i c a

A t r a c t y l i s h a m i l i s

P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s P. t e r e b i n t h u s C i s t u s s a l v i i f o l i u s P imp ine l l a t ragium Lamium locgi f lordm Alyssum moctamm a t l a n t i c a S i d e r i t i s incaca tune tana S i l e c o p s i s montaca S t i p a f o c t a c e s i i As t r aga lus a m a t z s Carex h a l l e r i a n a

The a l eppo p i c e f o r e s t i s accompacied by:

Retama sphaerocarpa Tezcriiim pseudo-chanaepitys Polygala r u p e s t r i s A s t r a g a l u s monspessulanas Ococis p a i l l a A . f o c t a c e s i i n n i d i c a Er inacea a c t h y l l i s T r i s e t a r i a f l a v e s c e c s I c ~ l a moctaca r Bromus squa r rosas Leuzea c o c i f c r a J a c i p e r u s oxycedrzs r u f e s c e c s

Rosmaricus o f f i c i n a l i s Cistzs l i bano t i i s G lobz l a r i a alypum Heliacthemum ciceret;rn rubellum Fw,aca t h y m i f o l i a Avena bromoides F. e r i c o i d e s T e u c r i m polism F. l a e v i p e s C o r o c i l l a micima

Other a s s o c i a t i o c s of i c t e r e s t ( ~ i r . For. 1981) a r e c h a r a c t e r i z e d by:

1 ) C i s t z s v i l l o s u s Lonicera implexa Calycotome v i l l o s a

P i s t a c i a t e r e b i n t h u s Buplezram g ib ra l t a r i c i im B e l l i s s i l v e s t r i s

2 ) Ampelodesma mauri t a c i c a Bilpleunm balansae Onocis p u s i l l a B. spinosum Hedysanm pal l idum J u n i p e r u s oxycedrus rd fe scens

3 1 S t i p a tenacfss ima Thymus h i r t u s Juciper-us phoecicea Teucrium compac tum Lotus c r e t i c u s c o l l i c u s Thymelaea t a r t o c r a i r a

4 Artemisia herba a l b a P l a c t a g o a l b i c a c s A . c a n p e s t r i s Hcliacthemzm h i r t ~ n n f i c o m m Gec i s t a microcephala P i t a r a c t h o s ch lo rac thas Olea earopaea o l e a s t e r Thymelaea h i r s z t a Rhus t r i p a r t i t u m P i s t a c i a a t l a c t i c a Retama r a e t a n Hed y s a ram s p j c o s i s s i r n

B. Fauca

Mammals. F a m a of Djebe l Chambi a r e l i s t e d i c Sec t ton 4 (Gouvernorat -- of ~ a s s e r i c e ) . Featured an imals i n c l u d e approximate ly 200 h v i e r ' s g a z e l l e s Gaze l l e c u v i e r i . A f t e r be ing a l m o s t e x t i r p a t e d from T x i s i a d u r i r g c o l o c i a l t imes , t h e g a z e l l e s a r e cow i n c r e a s i c g ic comber acd d i s p e r s i n g a long t h e T u n i s i a c Dorsa l (H.P. Mallei-, pers . corn. ) . Aoudad Ammotragas l e r v i a were e x t i r p a t e d from t h e park and have been r e in t roduced . Fozr males escaped from a c a c c l i m a t i z a t i o n enc losa re and s i x females acd yoang a r e s t i l l i c c a p t i v i t y . Hyena a r e common enough t o have had a s e r i o u s impact oe t h e wj ld boa r popu la t i oc . Local o f f i c i a l s r epo r t ed t h a t an average of 10 hyecas a r e k i l l e d by v e h i c l e s oe t h e roads n e a r Kasse r ine each year .

E i rds . Mary r a p t o r s , i n c l u d i n g e g y p t i a c v u l t u r e s and threa tened p e r e g r i c e s , r e s t a t Chambi. A wide v a r i e t y of o t h e r f o r e s t acd s t eppe s p e c i e s a l s o o c c x i c t h e a r e a .

A 6723 ha c a t i o c a l park was c r e a t e d a t Chambi ( ~ o c t i o c 5.4.3) i c 1980, which reduced most of t h e d e t r i m e n t a l hurnac i c f l u e n c e s on t h e environmect. Some sma l l f i r e s s t i l l occa r and park f a c i l i t i e s a r e be i cg c o c s t r u c t e d , but t h e ecosystem i s i c e x c e l l e c t c o c d i t i o c . F i r e s a c t d a l l y improve t h e h a b i t a t f o r t h e g a z e l l e s acd aoudad by c r e a t i r g sma l l c l e a r i c g s with abacdac t he rbs . Aleppo p i c e c o r e s a r e c o l l e c t e d e c c u e l l y f o r t h e i r s e e d s , which a r e e a t e r o r s o l d t o c s r s e r i e s . T h i s does c o t appear t o s i g c i f i c a c t l y a f f e c t r e g e c e r a t i o c i c t h e f o r e s t .

3 . 4 3 2 Djebe l Bireno

Die c o r t h of D j . Chanbi acd 35 km c o r t h w e s t of Kasse r i ce i s D j . B i reco . Averagicg 1100 m i c a l t i t s d e (maximum 1419 m), Bireco i s formed of marc? and l imes toce acd has ha rd , o f t e c e roded , s o i l s . The b ioc l ima te i s Semi-arid S ~ p e r i o r .

A . Vege ta t i oc

A t t h e summit t h e v e g e t a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o n i s a leppo p i n e , holm oak and J u c i p e r u s o x y c e d r ~ s ru fe scecs . The p i n e i s of poor form and r a t h e r s p a r s e ; t h e oak is 1-2 m t a l l . Descending dowc t h e s l o p e , t h e p ine 5 s l a r g e r acd decse r and holm oak is r e p l a c e d by o t h e r p l a n t s , such as rosemary acd Ampelodesma m e u r i t a c i c a ( o c marnes) . A t t h e base of B5reno t h e p ine i s a g a i c sma l l acd s p a r s e due t o e x p l o i t a t i o c , c l e a r i n g and d r i e r c o c d i t i o r s . Associated v e g e t a t i o c i c c l u d e s (ORSTOM 1962):

G l o b z l a r i a alypurn Retama sphaerocarpa I?. raetam

C i s t u s v i l l o s u s C. mocspe l i ens i s C e c i s t a a rgen tea

with gypsous s o i l s i c d i c a t e d by Lygeum spartum and d r i e r l o c a t i o c s i c d i c a t e d by e s p a r t o g r a s s end j u c i p e r . P a s t o r a l s p e c i e s iccliide:

Artemesia herba a l b a Hippocrepis scabra A. cempes t r i s P s o r a l e a bitumicosa Medicago tunetana C o r o n i l l a juccea Lotus sp. C. minima

B. Fauna

A long racge of c l i f f s below t h e r i d g e oc D j . Bireco provides s e v e r a l f avo rab le l o c a t i o c s with l edges , c e v l t i e s and caves f o r mammal decs o r r a p t o r n e s t s . Mammals i n c l a d e hyena, j a c k a l , red fox , wild boar , North Afr ican c r e s t e d porcupice, Alger ian hedgehog, gundi acd ba ts . Bkrds i n c l s d e :

tc Pe reg r i ce Black r e d s t a r t T u r t l e dove Ban: owl Black wheatear Ravec Sarbary p a r t r i d g e Chaff i n c h

C. I c f l i i ecces

Ic respocse t o e r o s i o c problems, some t e r r a c i n g has beec doze on t h e s t e e p e r s l o p e s . Oce f i f t h o f t h e f o r e s t has been designated a s regecera t ior - f o r e s t t o p r o t e c t i t from e x p l o i t a t i o c acd g raz i cg , t h z s echancicg t h e f o r e s t cover and r educ icg e r o s i o c . Although g raz i cg i s reduced somewhat i n t h e r egene ra t ion f o r e s t , i t s t i l l occnrs t h e r e acd throsghout t h e f o r e s t . Other f o r e s t u s e i n c l u d e s h a r v e s t i c g rosemary bracches f o r d i s t i l l a t i o n and fuelwood c o l l e c t i o n .

3.4.3.3. Djebel Mrh i l l a

One of t h e m o x t a i c s f l ank ing t h e main 'backboce ' of t he Tiicis iac Dorsa l i s D j . Mrh i l l a . It is located oc the south s i d e of the Dorsa l , 10 kn c o r t h of S b e i t l a acd 45 km n o r t h e a s t of Kasse r ine . The a l t i t s d e i s 1378 m a t t h e h i g h e s t summit acd 1058 m a t t h e second, soiitherr. peak. S lopes a r e rocky wi th many bare rock ou tc rops .

A. Vege ta t ioc

The v e g e t a t i o c a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e s i m i l a r t o t h o s e of D j . Chambi ( ~ a e n o t 19651, b s t Mrh i l l a is lower and has on ly beec p ro t ec t ed f o r 3 yea r s , s o i t is more degraded. Aleppo p i ce grows f a i r l y w e l l a t t he s s m m i t , but t h e holm oak i n t h e unders tory i s s t u c t e d , deformed and very sparse . Eroded, t h i c s o i l s r e s u l t i n many bare a r e a s betweer, t h e rosemary h s h e s on t h e s lopes . Humus acc .~mula t iocs i c t h e watersheds a r e i c d i c a t e d by P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c ~ s acd P h i l l y r e a a n g u s t i f o l i a . J s c i p e r s s phoecicea acd e s p a r t o g r a s s i c d i c a t e t h e drycess of t h e s l o p e s , acd t h e base of t h e mountaic i s dornir-ated by e s p a r t o g r a s s acd thermophi les l i k e rosemary acd C lobu la r i a a l y p ~ a . A r a r e , North Afr icac ecdemic p l a c t recorded f o r KrhLlla i s S o r b . ~ s a r i a . --

B. Fauca

Mammals l i v i n g or. D j . M r h i l l a !include t h e North Af r i cac ecdemic gufidi, which i s preyed upon by red fox and j a c k a l s . O the r r o d e c t s , brow. ha re , b a t s , wild boar and occas iona l hyenas a l s o o c c u r i n t h e a r ea .

B i r d s i c c l u d e many s p e c i e s of d i u r n a l and c o c t u r n a l r a p t o r s acd: - Wood ptgeon Goldf inch Black wheatear Barbary p a r t r i d g e Cha f f inch Nigh t i c g a l e Cres t ed l a r k Hoopoe Raven

C. I c f l u e n c e s

Although H r h i l l a has beec p r o t e c t e d f o r 3 y e a r s , some g r a z i r g st i l l occurs .

3.4.3.L. D jebe l Selloum

Arother moactaic f l a c k i c g t h e maic ' backbore ' of t h e T a n i s i a r Dorsa l is D j . Selloum, l o c a t e d 5 km s o u t h e a s t o f K a s s e r i c e . The a l t i t u d e i s 1248 meters a t t h e s a m m i t , which i s q u i t e b l u n t and approaches p l a t e a z form i c some p l aces . There a r e s e v e r a l ba rds o f low c l i f f s ( 2 - 20 m) f r s c g i c g t h e s ama i t , and t h e lower s l o p e s a r e i c t e r r a p t e d by macy rock oz tcrops .

The maic v e g e t a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e e s s e c t i a l l y t h e same a s t h o s e on D j . Mrh i l l a acd s i m i l a r fauna wozld a l s o be expec t ed . A p l a c t of s p e c i a l i r t e r e s t i s t h e T u c i s i a n ecdemic G e c i s t a microcephala v a r . t uce t aca .

3.4.3.5. D jebe l Ousse l a t 35'42' I4 9'44' E

Fo r ty km nor thwes t of Kairouan i s a c o t h e r o u t l y i n g moaetaic of t h e T a c i s i a c Dorsa l . D j . Ousse l a t h a s a c a l t i t z d e of 895 m , which descecds s t e e p l y , wi th macy c l i f f s , t o t h e Low S teppes . S u b s t r a t e s of t h e sou th f a c e a r e o f t e n dominated by marble. S o i l s a r e t h i n , dark and very rocky on t h e s l o p e s .

A. Vege ta t i oc

Formerly, t h e dominant a s s o c i a t i o r . was a l e p p o p ine , Juc ipe rds p h o e c i c e a , D t p l o t a x i s h a r r a ( ~ u e c o t 1965) , bu t t h e r e i s l t t t l e a leppo p jne remainicg and t h e deg rada t ion s t a g e s a r e now dominact . On some s l o p e s t h e r e i s l i t t l e s o i l , s p a r s e jur.iper and few he rbs . A commoc maquis a s s o c i a t i o n appea r s t o be O l e a - l e n t i s c u s , c a rob . Rosemary occzrs , bl;t i s s p a r s e i c macy a r e a s . Nerium o l e a n d e r grows a l o c g t h e s t ream beds acd i c mois t l o c a t i o c s oe t h e s lopes .

B. Fauca

Ousse l a t i s impor tac t i n terms of b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y because i t i s a n e s t i c g l o c a t i o c f o r egyp t i ac v u l t u r e s , p e r e g r i c e s , acd booted eagles . Macy o t h e r r a p t o r s and o t h e r ac imal s p e c i e s occu r oc Djebel Oasse la t ( s e e S e c t i o c 4 , Goavernorat of ~ a i r o u a c ) .

A l a r g e marble qua r ry e x i s t s on t h e sou th s i d e of t h e mouctain. Grazicg i s s o i n t e n s e t h a t by l a t e summer l i t t l e remains i c t h e herb l a y e r . I c t h e prime r a p t o r c e s t i n g a r e a s , human d i s t u r b a n c e would be d e t r i m e c t a l t o c e s t i c g success.

3.4.3.6. Djebel S e r d j 35'56' N 9'33' E

Djebel S e r d j i s o r e of t h e maic r i d g e s of t h e T a n i s i a c Dorsal . I t l i e s 90 km c o r t h e a s t of D j . Semmama, 20 km s o u t h e a s t of S i l i a c a and 60 km cor thwest of Kairouac. A t t h e h i g h e s t peak t h e a l t i t u d e i s 1357 m.

A . Vegeta t ion The v e g e t a t i o ~ i s p a r t i c a l a r l y r i c h oc D j . S e r d j . A t t h e summit i s e

meadow a s s o c i a t i o c of herbs acd sh rabs (ORSTOM 1962) cha rac t e r i zed by:

Pracus p r o s t r a t a IJA Cectaarea incaca

C. l agascae Tr i fo l i am c h e r l e r i Poa balbosa

* Acthoxacthum odoratum Acdrosace maxima

* Horcacgia pe t r aea * Geraniam lucidum

Ophrys l u t e a subfusca

Thymas a l g e r i e c s i s T e ~ c r i u m poliam Armeria p l an tag icea V i c i a ocobrychioides Acthy l l i s v u l c e r a r i a Alyssum montacum S i d e r i t i s i ccaca t x e t a c a Acthemis pucc ta t a T u l i p a s i l v e s t r i s T . a , ~ s t r a l i s

= Southerc l i m i t o f geographical range

Oc c o r t h f a c i c g rock c r e s t s i s a c a s s o c i a t i o ~ c h a r a c t e r i z e d by:

r N A Draba h i spac icus Alyssum montanum HO rnaga pe t r aea Sedum sp .

Ic mois t , shaded rocky a r e a s , a d d i t i o n a l s p e c i e s a r e four.d, sach as :

Sax i f raga t r i d a c t y l i t e s Arab i s a u r i c u l a t a S. carpe tana A. t u c e t a n a

ORSTOK (1962) a l s o desc r ibed an a s s o c i a t i o n c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of high p l a t e a ~ s of t h e T u c i s i a c Dorsa l dominated by B a p l e ~ r ~ m spjcos:m acd

A s t r a g a l i s f o r t a n e s i i s sp . numidicds. Along permacect s t reams t h e v e g e t a t i o e t e c d s t o be composed o f :

P o p ~ l u s a l b a Ranunczlus macrophylla F rax inus a n g u s t i f o l i a V i t i s v i c i f e r a Ulmus campes t r i s Carex remota Rubus u l m i f o l i u s Poa t r i v i a l i s Rosa sp . Equisetum maximam Nerium o l e a c d e r C lyce ra f l u i t a c s Hedioscladium nodi f lorum

On t h e upper s l o p e s t h e r e a r e a l i t t l e o v e r 1 ,000 cork oak growicg f a r sou th of t h e normal racge. There a r e a l s o s t a n d s o f t h e r a r e maple t r e e

growirg i c a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h (ORSTOM 1962, Pe t e rkec acd Radford 1969

Q a e r c u s i l e x r C A Sorbus a r i a

Rosa p o a z i c i Cra t aegas a z a r o l u s R a c ~ c c ~ l u s f i c a r i a )!elacdrisn d iva r i ca t am Bras s i ca g rav i cae V i c i a ocobrychio ides

v N A Vio la mzcbyaca

Gcracism rober t iacam purpureum Tamus conmznis Rabss a l m i f o l i z s Delphlcium emarginatsm Lamiam locgi f lor i im cumidicum S c r o p h a l a r i a l a e v i g a t a

r Arab i s verca F e s t a c a ov ica Armeria p l a c t a g i c e a

Some of t h e lower s l o p e s have holm oak dominated v e g e t a t i o c s i m i l a r t o t h a t of D j . Eargoa ( s e e f o l l o w i r g s e c t i o c ) and o t h e r s have v e g e t a t i o c t y p i c a l of d r y , degraded mari t ime t o c o n t i n e n t a l a l eppo p i ce a s s o c i a t i o c s wi th marne acd humus acc; lmalat iocs a s d e s c r i b e d f o r D j . Mansozr. There a r e a l s o abou t 1 ,500 ha of Maktar c y p r e s s Capres sus semvervi recs s sp . cumidica nixed wi th a leppo p i c e i c t h e r a v i n e s .

Faaca of t h e r e g i o c is l i s t e d i c S e c t i o n 4 ( ~ o u v e r c o r a t of ~ i l i a n a ) . Of s p e c i a l i c t e r e s t i s a c e x t r o a r d i c a r y p o p u l a t i o c of b a t s i c or? of t h e caves ( ~ s s i , pe r s . comm.).

C. I n f l u e n c e s

The f o r e s t s a r e managed and e x p l o i t e d i n a manner t h a t i s not d e t r i m e n t a l t o t h e o v e r a l l v e g e t a t i o c cove r . However, e x p l o i t a t i o c acd g r a z i n g i c some a r e a s appea r s t o have al lowed s e r i o u s e r o s i o c t o s t a r t . The r a r e maple t r e e mocspessalacum and co rk oak a r e i c such low numbers t h a t e x p l o i t a t i o c wi thout s e r f o u s r e g e n e r a t i o r e f f o r t s wmld t h r e a t e c t h e i r coc t inued presecce .

3 . 4 3 . D jebe l Bargou 36'04 * 9 9'36 ' E

Kor theas t of D j . S e r d j acd 20 km e a s t of S i l i a c a is Djebel Sargoz. The summit a l t i t ~ d e is 1268 m acd t h e s l g p e s a r e moderate t o s t eep . A racge of c l i f f s approximate ly 10 - 53 m h i g h , r ea ro th? c r e s t a t Zch i l a , ha s s e v e r a l i r t e r e s t i c g caves acd l edges .

A. Vege ta t i on

The v e g e t a t i o c is very r i c h , w i th a h igh meadow a s s o c i a t i o c a t t h e summit, s i m i l a r t o t h a t de sc r ibed f o r Djebe l S e r d j i c t h e p rev ios s s e c t i o c . Below t h e meadow i s a hblm oak dominated a s s o c i a t i o r (ORSTOM 1962). w i th Acer monspessulanum ic some a r e a s ( a s a t D j . ~ e r d j ) and o t h e r a r e a s vege t a t ed t o :

P k s t a c i a t e r e b i c t h u s Asplecium adiantam cigrum Lonicera implexa Geranium lucidam Prasium ma ju s G . rober t iacam Firpaream Ruscus hypophyllum Fumaria c a p r e o l a t a Heliacthemam glaucum Cynosarus e l e g a c s Alysszm s e r p y l l i f o l i a m P i m p i c e l l a t ragium A. moctanam a t l a c t i c u m S a t u r e j a a l p i c a e t c . . .

Streamside v e g e t a t i o n i s a l s o s i m i l a r t o t h a t oc D j . S e r d j , with some Typha a c g a s t i f o l i a a t t h e base of t h e mouctaie . I n degraded l o c a t i o c s , where t h e humzs has been removed, holm oak i s rep laced by s leppo p i ce and

Rosmaricss o f f i c i c a l i s E r i c a m z l t i f l o r a G lobu la r i a a l y p m E r i c a c e a a c t h y l l i s e t c . . .

I c t h e lower p i n e f o r e s t s , v e g e t a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o c s s i m i l a r t o t h o s e descr ibed f o r D j . Mansodr occa r wi th c o c t i c e c t a l s p e c i e s ssch a s J c c i p e r u s oxvcedras r e p l a c i c g t h e mari t ime s p e c i e s . Ac a s s o c i a t i o r i a p o r t a c t i c t h e 'i 'zcisiac Dor sa l i s t h a t of ca rob , O l e a - l e c t i s c u s , Rhamnss l y c i o i d e s ssp . o l e o i d e s maqais; w i th Myrtas cornmanis acd Cra t aegas a z a r o l u s mixed i n on D j . Bargoa.

B. Faaca

F a x a a r e l i s t e d i r S e c t i o c 4 ( G o 7 ~ v e r c o r a t of ~ i l i a c a ) . Of s p e c i a l i c t e r e s t i s tho p re secce of North A f r i c a c c r e s t e d porczpice , hyeca and c e s t i c g p e r e g r i n e s .

O l i v e s a t t h e base of t h e mountain have been g r a f t e d acd tended s i c c e Romac t imes . Edges of t h e lower s t r eams a r e c u l t i v a t e d acd g raz ing occu r s throughout t h e yea r . Some rosemary branches a r e ha rves t ed f o r d i s t i l l a t i o c , b a t no t i n g r e a t amounts, and t h e )Iyrtus is commoc enough f o r e f f e c t i v e h a r v e s t i c g . Ic o r d e r t o e c s u r e a n adeqaa t e f o r e s t cover t o prevent e r o s i o n , uoodca t t i ng is c o t pe rmi t t ed . Macy of t h e ba re a r e a s s t i l l show s i g c s of e ros ion .

3.4.3.8. D jebe l Macsoar 36'17' :: 9'42' E

Corth of t h e backbone r i d g e of moacta ins , 40 km s o a t h u e s t of Zaghosac and 20 km southwes t of l e Fahs is Djebel Macsozr. The szmai t a l t i t ~ d e is 678 m acd t h e topography (moderate t o s t e e p s l o p e s ) acd s s b s t r a t c s (marco- c a l c a r e o a s ) a r e t y p i c a l of t h e T u c i s i a c Dor sa l . Two o r t h r e e permacect s p r i c g s a f f e c t t h e water regime of t h e s l o p e s , l o c a l l y f a v c ~ r i c g r i p a r i a n p l a c t s . The b i o c l i m a t e i s Semi-arid I n f e r j o r .

A. Vege ta t i oc

D j . Hansour i s f a i r l y we l l covered by a l e p p o p i n e , averaging 5-7 m t a l l . Low, shrubby holm oak i s s c a t t e r e d i r . p a r t s of t h e f o r e s t . Occas ioca l c l e a r i n g s i n t h e f o r e s t cove r a r e domicated by rosemary and hea the r . The f o r e s t was burned i n 1938 and t h e r e have beec some s e l e c t i o r . c u t s , which a f f e c t s p e c i e s compostion. The g e c e r a l v e g e t a t i o n p r o f i l e r epo r t ed by ORSTOM ( 1 962) is a s fo l l ows :

P i c u s h e l e p e c s i s Quercus i l e x

accompacied by thermophi les and c a l c i c o l e s

Rosnar inus o f f i c i n a l i s G e c i s t a a rgen tea G lobu la r i a alypum G . c i c e r e a B;pleul-m ba l acsae Teucriam poliam Fzmaca thymif o l i a Ebecus p i c c a t a F. l a e v i p e s Aveca bromoides e t c . . .

A marit ime i c f l i e c c e i s shown by t h e p re secce of

E r i c a m u l t i f l o r a Fumaca a r b i ca

whi le t h e d r i e r sites a r e c h a r a c t e r i z e d by

J a c i p e r s s phoecicea S t i pa t eccac i s s ima

0 c marcous s o i l s some s p e c i e s a r e rep laced by Ampelodesma n a ~ r i t a r i c a . Humas acczma la t ions a r e i c d i c a t e d by

P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c a s Jasmican f r i i t i c a c s P h i l l y r e a a c g a s t i f o l i a

Degradat ion caused by f i r e s i s i c d i c a t e d by

C i s t u s v i l l o s a s C i s t . 2 ~ mocspe l i ec s i s

T h i s v e g e t a t i o n p r o f i l e i s t y p i c a l of t h e a l eppo p i c e f o r e s t s from D j . Semmama t o D j . F k i r i n e .

B. Fauca

The fauna is composed of t h e s p e c i e s l i s t e d f o r mountaicoas a r e a s ic t h e Gouvernorat of Zaghouac ( S e c t i o c 4 ) . O f s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t i s t h e presecce of North A f r i c a c c r e s t e d po rcup ices acd ( r a r e l y ) hyecas.

C. I n f l u e n c e s

Hamac i c f l a e c c e s i c c l s d e managemect c a t s , o c c a s i o c a l P;elwood g a t h e r i c g , acd g r a z i c g . The s o i l s a r e s s b j e c t t o e r o s i o c i f t h e v e g e t a t i o c cover i s removed.

3 4 3 . 9 D jebe l Zaghouan

Irunediately sou th of t h e c i t y of Zaghouan and 57 km ~ 0 2 t h of Tac i s i s D j . Zaghouac. A s e r i e s of moderate t o s t e e p s l o p e s i n t e r s p e r s e d with rock outcrops acd c l i f f s r i s e t o a summit a t 1295 m a l t i t u d e . Racy of t h e rocky dome ou tc rops f r a c t u r e , break o f f , and f a l l , r e s a l t i n g i c low c l i f f s and rock s t r e w c s l o p e s . Snow is common i n t h e w i n t e r and t h e acnual p r e c i p i t a t i o n r a t e (450 - 500 mm) is h i g h e r t han t h a t of t h e s a r roucd icg a r e a .

A. Vegeta t ion

The h igh a l t i t u d e , mar i t ime acd c o c t i n e n t a l i n f l u e n c e s acd n o r t h e r c l o c a t i o c have r e s u l t e d i c a d i v e r s i t y o f v e g e t a t i o c a s s o c i a t i b n s on D j . Zaghouac. 0 c t h e summit a s p a r s e , low-shrub, meadow-like v e g e t a t i o c domicates. Holm oak domicates aroucd t h e summit acd t h e h igh s l o p e s of t h e c o r t h s i d e . The holm oak a s s o c i a t i o n i s s i m i l a r t o t h a t of Dj. Bargo;, wi th t h e a d d i t i o c of Orch i s p r o v i n c i a l i s , C o r o c i l l a v a l e n t i c a acd Tul ipa s i l v e s t r i s .

P a r t s of t h e holm oak f o r e s t a r e a l s o c h a r a c t e r i z e d by t h e &r mor!spess~lacus a s s o c i a t i o c desc r ibed f o r Dj. S e r d j . Ac a leppo p i ce f o r e s t s i m i l a r t o t h a t of Dj. Macsour domica tes t h e s p p e r s l o p e o r t he west s i d e . Most of t h e lower s l o p e s a r e c h a r a c t e r i z e d by degrade t ior - s t a g e s of t h e p i ce f o r e s t . The i c f l z e c c e of t h e mar i t ime c l i m a t e ox t h e v e g e t a t i o c r e s z l t s i c t h e appearacce o f :

Q a e r c u s c o c c i f e r a E r i c a m ~ l t i f l o r a C a l l i t r i s a r t i c u l a t e Fumaca a r b i c a

The maic d e g r a d a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o c f o t h e lower s l o p e s t e c d s toward Olea- l e c t i s c z s , c a rob , w i th s c a t t e r e d groves o f a l eppo p i c e z p t o 7 m t a l l acd:

P i . s t a c i a t e r e b i c t h u s Calycotome v i l l o s a Jasmicum f r ~ t i c a n s P h i l l y r e a a r g ; s t i f o l i a media

Occasiocal f i r e s a l l ow i c v a s i o c of bar red a r e a s by

C ~ S ~ U S mocspe l i ec s i s Ampelodesma m a a r i t a ~ i c a C. v i l l o s u s

Alocg t h e lower s t r eams a P o p ~ l u s albe a s s o c i a t i o c domicates . Some aleppo p ine , a c a c i a , acd Maktar c y p r e s s have bee r p l a c t e d on t h e mountair .

A s p e c i e s of i n t e r e s t o c c u r i c g i c t h e maquis i s Euphorbia decdro ides . A r a r e T u c i s i a c endemic s p e c i e s i s L i c a r i a r e f l e x a v a r . daumeti. Pe t e rkec and Radford (1969) r epo r t ed t h e fo l lowicg r a r e p l a c t s f o r Dj. Zaghouac:

Phagcaloc cycodon S i c a p s i s pabescecs v. po lyc lade Lamiam l o c g i f lorum S a x i f r a g a dichotoma (very r a r e )

B. Fauna

Fauna of s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t a r e t h e many s p e c i e s of r a p t o r s t h a t Rest on l edges and i n c l i f f c a v i t i e s oc D j . Zaghozac, such a s e g y p t i a r v u l t u r e , golden e a g l e , p e r e g r i r e acd k e s t r e l ( s e e S e c t i o n 4 , Gouvernorat of ~ a g h o u a r ) . C. I n f l u e n c e s

There have been some problems i n t h e p a s t w i t h people c o l l e c t i n g r a p t o r eggs a t D j . Zaghoaac. A s p e c i a l gua rd i an i s now as s igned t o t h e major c e s t s i t e s d u r i n g t h e b reed ing season . Smal l f i r e s occur almost every y e a r , b a t t hey a r e q a i c k l y l o c a t e d acd e x t i n g u i s h e d , s o they do l i t t l e damage. The f o r e s t a s c l a s s i f i e d a s unmacaged, which means no e x p l o i t a t i o n o r improvemert c u t s . Ic p r i c c i p l e a l a r g e p a r t of t h e n o r t h s l o p e i s c lo sed t o g r a z i n g , which reduces t h e g r a z i c g impacts , bu t does n o t e l i m i n a t e them. Some members of t h e l o c a l o r n i t h o l o g i c a l a s s o c i a t i o n f e e l t h e s i t e i s impor t ac t ecoiigh t o be d e s i g c a t e d a n a t i o c a l park.

3.4.3.1C. D jebe l Marchana, D j . Z i t , D j . Bou S a f r a

Nor theas t of Zaghoaac, j a s t b e f o r e t h e T a c i s i a c Dorsa l ex t ecds i n t o Cap Bor, i s a t r i o of m o x t a i r s 350 - 500 m h igh . The mountains a r e c h a r a c t e r i z e d by moderate s l o p e s wi th numerous rock o s t c r o p s . S u b s t r a t e s a r e d i v e r s e , i n c l a d i r g l i m e s t o r e , marce acd gypsum covered by sha l low, wel l d r a i r e d s o i l s .

A . V e g e t a t i o r

A t t h e s s r n m i t o f D j . Z i t , t h e v e g e t a t i o c i s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of holm oak s t a c d s . The mar i t ime i c f l a e c c e o r t h e v e g e t a t i o c a s s o c i a t i o c has r e s u l t e d i c thuga a rd kerrnes oak r e p l a c i c g a l eppo p i c e a s t h e domicact t r e e s p e c i e s i c most of t h e f o r e s t s . A mari t ime i r f l u e c c e i s a l s o i c d i c a t e d by t h e p re se rce of E r i c a m a l t i f l o r a . The thuya f o r e s t o r D j . Z i t c o c t a i c s many of t he s p e c i e s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h a l eppo p i r e f o r e s t s ( a s desc r ibed f o r D j . ~ a c s o a r ) a s w e l l a s Lavardz la s t o e c h a s a rd E r fca a rbo rea .

Djebe l Karchaca has a l a r g e O l e a - l e c t i s c u s maquis oc t h e s o a t h s i d e ( ~ a s s e r acd Verce t 1958) acd a t Bou S a f r a t h e thuya f o r e s t i s accompacied by:

Rosmariras of f i c i n a l i s Pha l a r is bulbosa Calycotome v i l l o s a G e n i s t a a s p a t h a l o i d e s G l o b a l a r i a alypam C i s t u s monspe l i ens i s Ampelodesma m a a r i t a r i c a C. v i l l o s u s S t i p a t e c c a c i s s j m a Lygeum spartum

B. Faara

F a x a of t h e 3 mozr t a i c s i s t y p i c a l of t h a t l i s t e d f o r mo.x ta icoas a r e a s ir. t h e Gozve r r3 ra t o f Zaghnzar ( ~ e c t i o r . 4).

Djebel Bou S a f r a has been a permanent r e s e r v e s i n c e about 1980. b Hunting, g r a z i n g and v e g e t a t t o c c u t t i ~ g a r e p r o h i b i t e d . S i c c e t h e r e i s a

f a i r v e g e t a t i o c cove r , e r o s i o n is c o t s e v e r e and t e r r a c i c g acd p l a c t i n g has been done t o reduce f u t u r e problems. Removal of v e g e t a t i o c w v ~ l d l eave t h e s l o p e s ve ry v u l c e r a b l e t o e ros ion .

3.4.3.11. D jebe l Reseas

Djebel Ressas is 25 km s o 2 t h e a s t of Tunis . Sha rp c l i f f s r i s e up from moderately s t e e p s l o p e s a t t h e base t o a peak 795 m kc a l t i t u d e .

A. Vege ta t i oc Thuya i s t h e dominact t r e e of D j . Ressas , and i t grows i c a s s o c i a t i o n

with ga r r ig i i e s composed of combina t iocs o f o l e a - l e c t i s c u s and ( ~ 1 - ~ a m r o s n i 1979):

Q ~ e r c a s c o c c i f e r - ~ s Rosmarinzs of f i c i n a l i s Calycotorne v i l l o s a Lavacdula m s l t i f i d a P e r i p l o c a l a e v i g a t a Thymus c a p i t a t a s Rhamcus l y c i o i d e s Teacrizm p o l i ~ ~ r n Prasium majiis G e n i s t a c i c e r e a s. c i c e r e a Jasmicsm f r u t i c a c s E r i c a m i i l t i f l o r a Cistzs monspe l i ens i s P h i l l y r e a a c g i i s t i f o l i a F rax inas dinorpha

and macy s p e c i e s of he rbs and g r a s s e s ; c o t a b l y :

Brachypodium ramosam Tarnus cornmzeis B. Distachyum D a c t y l i s glomerata

v Cyclamec persicurn Ampelodesma maur i t ac i ca

There i s a l s o an a s s o c i a t i o c kndica ted by:

Bras s i ca c r e t i c a Eaphorbia decd ro ides

and a meadow a s s o c i a t i o n c o c t a i c i c g :

S t i p a c a p e n s i s A t r a c t y l i s c a c c e l l a t a Erycgium i l i c i f o l i u m

B. Fauca

Djebel Ressas i s of s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t a s a prime c e s t i c g l o c a t i o c f o r r a p t o r s . Recorded s p e c i e s i c c l u d e p e r e g r i n e , k e s t r e l acd egyp t i ac v u l t ~ r e . Other fauna t h a t occur i c t h e a r e a a r e l i s t e d i c S e c t i o c 4 ( ~ o a v e r c o r a t o f ~ x i s ) .

C. I c f l u e c c e s

The moucta ic s l o p e s a r e grazed and some v e g e t a t i o n c u t t i c g may occur , bu t t h e s t e e p c l i f f s p r o t e c t t h e h i g h e r v e g e t a t i o n acd t h e c e s t i c g s i t e s .

3.4.3.12. D jebe l Bou Korn5ne 36'42' N 1 0 ~ 2 0 ' E

I n t h e west s i d e of Hammam-Lif, 18 km s o u t h e a s t of Tuc i s , is t h e double-peaked D j e b e l Bou Kornice. From an a l t i t ~ d e of 1 0 m , s t e e p s l o p e s r f s e t o a n e l e v a t i o c of 576 m a t t h e h i g h e s t peak. Limestoce acd marce s u b s t r a t e s t y p i c a l of t h e T u n i s i a c Dorsa l a r e weathered by almost 420 mm of ancual p r e c i p i t a t i o n a t t h e base , which i c c r e a s e s t o 660 - 700 mm a t t h e szmmit.

A. Vege ta t i oc

The domicact v e g e t a t i o c t y p e s of Boz Korc ice a r e thuya f o r e s t s acd maqzis, which cove r 90dp of t h e mouctaic. Average h e i g h t s of thzya i c t h e f o r e s t e d zoces a r e 6-7 m. S t a c d s of a l eppo p i c e , p i g r o c p i ce P i r s s p i cea , Acacia cyacophy l l a , Cupresszs sp . and e u c a l y p t ~ s have beer p l e r t e d oc v a r i o s s p a r t s of t h e mouctaic . Other p l a c t s p e c i e s o c c u r r i c g or Boa Korc i re a r e l i s t e d i c f i g u r e 9.

Tht. f a u r a of B3u Korc ice is very d i v e r s e ( s e e S e c t i o r 4 , ~ z r i s ) . Of s p e c i a l i c t e r e s t is t h e occu r r ecce of Bor th A f r i c a c c r e s t e d po rczp ice , wild boar , k a f f i r c a t , s e v e r a l s p e c i e s of b a t s , t h r e a t e c e d pe reg r ine f a l c o c s acd e g y p t i a c v u l t u r e s . C u v i e r ' s g a z e l l e s were observed i c 1930.

The f o r e s t cove r of Boa Korc ice has p r o t e c t e d t h e s l o p e s from s e r i o z s e r o s i o c problems, b z t t e r r a c i n g was doce on some of t h e s l o p e s t o prevent p o s s i b l e f u t u r e problems. There a r e a few p l a c t e t i o c s oc t h e mouctaic acd o l i v e g roves acd v i n y a r d s a t t h e base . O c c a s i o c a l l y , c a p e r C a ~ ~ a r i s s p i e o s z s buds acd o t h e r f o r e s t p r o d a c t s a r e c o l l e c t e d , b s t t h e most d i s r u p t i v e humac i n f l u e n c e o c t h e mouctaic i s a s e r i e s of 9 q a a r r i e s e x t r a c t i n g gypsum acd c o n s t r u c t i o n m a t e r i a l .

Djebe l Bou K o m i n e i s un inhab i t ed and h a s been p r o t e c t e d from g r a z i c g s i n c e 1929 ( p e t e r k e n and Radford 1969). P a r t o f t h e moactaic was e s t a b l i s h e d a s a n a t i o c a l park on 17 February 1987. There a r e p l ans f o r macagemeet and c o c s t r u c t i o c o f park f a c i l i t i e s ( s e e S e c t i o c 5.4.5).

Flo ra of Djebel BOJ Kom.ice ( a f t e r Dir. For. 1985, El-Hamrouci 1979)

Trees and sh rubs :

Arbutus unedo C a l l i t r i s a r t i c u l a t a . P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c u s Cera toc ia s i l i q a a P. t e r e b i n t h ~ s Crataegus a z a r o l u s Quercus i l e x Myrtas cornmanis Q. c o c c i f e r a Olea europaea o l e a s t e r Rhus sp . P h i l l y r e a a n g a s t i f o l i a media Tamarix sp.

Low, woody p l a c t s :

Ar t i r rh i r am majus A s p a r a g ~ s a c z t i f o l i a s Calycotome v i l l o s a Capparis s p i r o s a Chamaerops h z m i l i s Cistss l i b a c o t u s C . morspe l i ec s i s C o r o r i l l a v a l e r t i c a Ephedra b r o u n a i l l e s E r i ca m u l t i f l o r a Genis ta sp . G loba la r i a alypum Jasmirum f r u t i c a c s K e c t r a r t u s ruber

Herbs ard Aceras acthropophorum R l l i . s m cupaci A . par icu la tum Ampelodesma m a a r i t a c i c a Arisararn vn lga re Arrhexathersm e l a t u s Asplecisrr. adiantum Brachypodium rarnoszm Brass ica c r e t i c a Calchicum c u p a r i

v Cyclamec persicum Feriala commucis G lad io l a s b y z a r t i c u s Ir is juncea I. p l a r i f o l i a Le;coinm a . ~ t omnale Narc issus e l e g a r s Ophrys a t l e c t i c a G. r s sea G . l.;tea

Lavacdula m u l t i f i d a Lavatera a l b i a Lonicera implexa Nerium o l c a r d e r O p m t i a f i c u s i c d i c a P e r i p l o c a l a e v i g a t a Prasium ma j a s Rosmarinxi o f f i c i c a l i s Ruscus hypophyllum Ruta c h a l e p e c s i s Smilax a spe ra Thymelea h i r s z t a Thymus v u l g a r i s Zizyphus l o t u s

g r a s s e s : r Ophrys scolopax

0. sub-fasca 0. l e n t h r e d i c i f i r a Orch i s a c a t o l i c a 0. c o l l i r e a 0. l o n g i o i a l i s 0. p r o v i n c i a l i s 0. pap i l i ocacea Polypodium va lga re Ranucculus f lammula R . s p i c a t u s Romulea bulbocadium S c i l l a az t amna l i s S. l s n g u l a t a S. r m i d i c a Sedum coerulesm S. sediforme S t i p a t e c a c i s s i n a Tu l ipa s i l v e s t r i s Urgicea maritima

r = r a r e p l a c t s v = very r a r e p l a c t s

3.4.3.13. D jebe l S i d i Abder Rahmane 36'49' 1: 1 0 ~ 4 5 ' E

O r t h e l a r g e pecics:. i la o f Cap Boc i s D j . S i d i Abder Rahnace, which r i s e s t o a c a l t i t u d e o f 637 m. Moderately s t e e p s l o p e s d rop q c i c k l y t o t h e C . d f of T c c i s o r t h e c o r t h w e s t s i d e acd l e v e l oy.it t o low p l a i c s t o t h e sou theas t . The mar i t ime i c f l i i e c c e n o d e r a t e s tempera t i i res acd r e s c l t s i c f a i r l y h igh a ~ r u a l r a i n f a l l augmented by f r e q u e r t f o g a r d h igh humidi ty.

A. Vege t a t i oc

Cocd i t i oc s or. D j . S id j . Abder Rahnace p r e v i o z s l y favored a co rk oak f o r e s t a long t h e e c t i r e r i d g e , which i s uccs i ia l s i r x e co rk oak i s more c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f t h e Kroumi r i e , f a r t o t h e west . 60w o c l y a few co rk oak s t a c d s remaic. The c i i r r e c t domicact s p e c i e s i s k e r n e s oak, which domicates t h e c o a s t a l c l imax v e g e t a t i w from E i z e r t e t o l!abecl (ORSTON 1962). Thiiya a l s o d o m i r a t e s some f o r e s t s t a c d s oe t h e so;;theast s i d e acd i s d i spe r sed i c t h e f o r e s t s acd maquis throzghoii t t h e moncteic . 'ii'here t h e thiiya o r kermes oak f o r e s t h a s bee r degraded , e c O l e a - l e c t i s c s . , c a rob naqliis i s p r e s e c t . S r i a l l s t a e d s of a l eppo p5r.e a rd holm oak s i m i l a r t.2

those de sc r ibed f o r o t h e r n 3 e r t a i r . s o f t h e T , x i s S a c 3 3 r s a l a r e fo2r.2, a s we l l a s P3pa l c s e l b a a s s o c j a t i o r s a1or.g t h e r i v e r s . -

The cork oak f o r e s t c o t t a i t s s e v e r a l s p e c i ~ s c k a r a c t f r i s t i c o f t h e Krozmir fe , szch as:

C y t i s u s t r i f l o r ~ s Carex s j l v a t i c a E a r ~ c c ~ l c s f i c a r i a R . spi.cat1.i~

a s w e l l a s n a y o t h e r s p e c i e s more t y p i c a l of Cap B3e a rd t h ~ v a r y i c g c o c d i t i o r s of s o i l , c l i c a t e acd a l t j t n d e :

? B r a s s i c a c r e t i c a a t l a c t i c a r D i a c t h c s r c p i c o l a he rmaecs i s

TA C e r t a u r e a gymcocarpa papposa Smilax a s p e r a ( h ~ m u s ) Tamus conmccis " J c c i p e r n s oxycedrus ( s a c d y s o i l s )

acd degraded zoces w i th :

Rosmaricus o f f i c i c a l i s T r i f o l i u n scabrum Fcmaca t h y m i f o l i a

A c a c t h ~ s n o l l i s p l a t y p h y l l n s ScabS.osa f a r 5 cosa A c t h g l l i s barba j o v i s C e r i s t a ~ l c i c a ( a c j d s c i l s ) L a v e c d d a s t o e c h a s "

E - ~ p h o r b i a b ivocae ( s . imni t )

J u c i p e r c s phoecj cea Cistiis v i l l o s ~ i s Phagea loe r u p e s t r e

Kernes oak o f t e c r e p l a c e s co rk oak i c i t s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a s s o c i a t i o c s o r i s fo1.ir.d i r . a v a r i e t y of o t h e r a s s o c i a t i o c s , whlch a r e de sc r ibed b:~ OESTO;: ( :962) .

B. Fauna

Cap Bon Ss a n impor t ac t s i t e f o r m i g r a t i c g r a p t o r s ( S e c t i o c 2.4) acd tnacy s t o p t o r e s t on Dj. S i d i Abder Rahmace. Common fauna of Cap Boc a r e l i s t e d kn S e c t i o n 4 ( ~ o u v e r n o r a t o f ~ a b e u l ) .

C. I n f luences

Dj. S f d i Abder Rahmane is unfnhab i t ed and t imber h a r v e s t i n g i s n o t al lowed, but g r a z i c g is heavy and v e g e t e t i o c c u t t i n g i s n o t uncommon. The high p r e c i p i t a t i o n r a t e s make t h e s l o p e s s e n s i t i v e t o e r o s i o n when t h e vegeta t i o n cove r i s removed.

3.4.4. Moucta i r s of t h e High S teppe

Between t h e T u c i s i a c Dorsa l and t h e c h o t t s a r e macy s c a t t e r e d moantaic cha ins i c t h e h igh s t eppe . Some of t h e c h a i n s a r e a c e x t e c s i o c of t h e Saharac A t l a s (IUCN 1987). The g e c e r a l o r i e c t a t i o c of t h e rnosctaic c h a i r s is E-W a long t h e c o r t h e r c bo rde r of t h e c h o t t s , acd NE-SkI n e a r t h e Tuniskan Dorsa l . Varyicg i n a l t i t u d e from 600 m t o over 1100 rn, t h e mouctaics a r e g e c e r a l l y rocky ( c a l c a r e o u s ) acd e roded .

Low p r e c i p i t a t i o n r a t e s and a c i c l a c d l o c a t i o c g i v e t h e mozntains Semi-arid t o A r i d b i o c l i m a t e s . Most o f t h e r a i r f a l l s i c wicter c loudbur s t s ar.d s to rms , which c a u s e s much o f t h e water t o rx o f f t h e s u r f a c e i n t o a e a s o c a l s t reams. T h i s runo f f l e a v e s l e s s water f o r v e g e t a t i o c grbwth and i c c r e a s e s e r o s i o c problems.

Vegeta t ion . Formerly maKy o f t h e moacta ics were f o r e s t e d t o a l eppo pine. Today Inbst o f t h e p i c e has d i s appea red , l e a v i c g or-lp r e l i c s of t h e o r i g i n a l f o r e s t w i th a few p i c e t r e e s acd a g a r r j g a e of J u c i ~ e r J s hoecicea. Ir g e c e r a l , t h e v e g e t a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o r s of t h e degraded

:metair. f o r e s t ecosystems i c c l u d e (ORSTOO 1966 2) :

J a c i p e r z s phoenicea G lobu la r i a a l y p m C e c i s t a c i c e r e a Lavacdula m a l t i f i d a P e r i p l o c a l a e v i g a t a

Phymcs a l g e r i e t s i s Fanace thymif o l i a Ebecus p i c c a t a Phagcaloc x- pestr re T s l i p a s i l v e s t r i s s. a u s t r a l i s

o r , o r t h e h igh p l a t e a z s :

Rosmaricus o f f i c i c a l i s G l o b a l a r i a a l y ~ n C i s t a s l i b a c o t i s Ebecus p i c c a t a Helianthemum semi g l a b r ~ n Famaca t h y m i f o l i a Thymelea t a r t o n - r a i r a F. e r i c o i d e s Aveca bromoides A s t r a g a l u s i ccacus cammularizm

I c t h e r e g i o c of S i d i Bou Zid - C a f s a , t h e f o r e s t r e l i c s o f t e r c o c t a i c :

Olea ezropaea o l e a s t e r Jasmican f s u t i c z c s P i s t a c i a a t l a c t i c a P r a s i a n ma j u s Fumana l a e v i p e s Aspleniam adiac tam cigrum P h i l l y r e a a n g u s t i f o l i a media

I n t e r s p e r s e d i n t h e f o r e s t r e l i c a s s o c i a t i o c s and domica t ing t h e v e g e t a t i o n o f some o f t h e moucta ics i s e s p a r t o g r a s s S t i p a t enac i s s ima . The lower s l o p e s a r e domicated by e s p a r t o g r a s s acd G e c i s t a ~ i c r o c e p h a l a

c a e t e l l a t a acd t h e p l a i n s a r e c h a r a c t e r i z e d by a c e s p a r t o g r a s s : 8 t : p ; b i o c 3.5).

Fauca. Fauca o f s p e c i a l i c t e r e s t i c t h e mouc ta l r s of t h e high s t e p p e - i c c l s d e t h e North A f r i c a c ecdemic g u c d i , ? lo r th A f r i c z c c r e s t e d porc;pires , r a r e hyecas , o c c a s i o c a l C z v l e r ' s g a z c l l e s a rd aozdad. More comnor s p e c i e s i nc lude j a c k e l , red f o x , wild b o a r , g e c e t , acd czmeross r o d e c t s ( s e e S e c t i o c 4 , Couvercora ts of S i d i Bou Z i d , Gafsa , K a s s e r i c e , " w a r ) .

I c f l ~ e c c e s . The s c a r c i t y o f v e g e t a t i o n r e s o u r c e s i n t h e h i eh s t e p p e pu t s a h igh demecd oc t h e fo rage acd woody p l a n t s i n t h e mocr t a i c s . Grazicg is s o heavy t h a t h e r b s a r e o f t e c e a t e n b e f o r e they drop seed ecd many of t h e woody p l a c t s have been hedged by l i v e s t o c k o r c ~ t f a r fiielvoad. Th i s l e a v e s t h e groucd bare acd v ~ l n e r a b l e t o e r o s i o n when t h e f i r s t w ic t e r s torms s t a r t .

The E-K o r i e n t e d c h a i e o f moucta ics p a s s i c e t h rosgh Cefsa , t o t h e no r th of acd p a r a l l e l t o t h e c h o t t s , s e p a r a t e s t h e h igh e s p a r t o g r a s s s t eppes from t h e more a r i d s t e p p e a r e a s of t h e s o ~ t h . Two l o c a t i o c s of s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t a l o c g t h a t c h a i c a r e desc r ibed below.

4 . Djebe l Bou Ramli

Djebel 93: Eamli i s l o c a t e d 25 km c o r t w e s t o f Gafsa. A s m m i t a l t l t c d e of 1:56 n makes D j . Eo.; 3amli t h e h i g h a s t of t h e no r ; r t a l c s t o t h e west of Gafsa. Rocky, c a l c a r e o ~ s s l o p e s descecd t o e s p a r t o g r a s s s t e p p e s or- t n ~ c3rt.h s j d e acd s e b k h e t s oc t he sou th s i d e .

Esparto Grass grows ove r t h e e n t i r e mosc t a i c , j.c a s s 3 c i e t , i o c vi . th degrade6 popl ; la t jocs of J u r i p e r ~ s ~ h o e c i c e a acd holm oak a t t h e s u m i t , ard G ~ r i s t e n i c r o c e ~ h a l e v a r . c a p i t e l l a acd Ar temis ja c a n p e s t r i s o r t h e lower s lopes . There a r e a l s o a s s o c i a t i o c s o f rosemary o r t h e s l o p e s . A t t he f o 9 t 3f t h e n o x t a i c , P a r s e t i a aegyp t i aca and C l a d a r t h s s a r a b i c c s grow with the ~ s p e r t o g r a s s acd ex tecd Sc to t h e s c r r a ~ r d i n g p l a i c s . A c ~ m b e r of rarE s p e c i e s a r e a l s o foscd i c t h e r i c h f l o r a o f t h i s a r i d n o u x t a i r . ( ~ e t e r k e r a rd Radford 1969) .

Pa.xa a r e c h a r a c t e r i s t j c of t h e Gafsa moucta ics ( ~ e c t i o c 4 ) .

The n o x t a j r . has beer. a p r o t e c t e d a r e a f o r macy y e a r s , b i t t h e e f f e c t i v e r e s s of t h e p r o t e c t i o c has c o t beec r e c e r - t l y a s se s sed . Acy v e g e t a t i o c removal w o ~ l d a f f e c t s p e c i e s compost iocs acd l e a v e t h e s l o p e s s>;sceptible t o i c c r e a s e d e r o s i o c r a t e s .

3.4.4.2. Djebe l Bou Hedma 34'30' !I 9'38' E

A s s h t h e r c mosc t a i r o f s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t i s D j . BOG H~dma. Located 85 k i lome te r s e a s t of Gafsa acd 45 km west of t h e c o a s t , t h e m o ~ c t a i c i s i c t h e t r a r s j t i o c zoce betweer c e r t r a l aed s o c t h e r c T ~ c j s i a ( p o t t i e r - A l a ? ~ t i t e :979) . From a s m n j t a l t i t > i d e of 790 m , t h e m o w t a i n desce rds f e i r l y rclpldly ( s l o p e s > 25:) t o t he f o o t h i l l s , which deecer-d nore g r a d - t l l y t o t h e s ~ r r o x d j r - g s t e p p e s . !,:axe acd ~ y p s c ~ deposi t s 5 r t h e c a l c e r c s , ~ n a s s i f R T F xea the red t o f o r n t h e s o i l s of t h e s l o p e s a r2 base .

A. Vegeta t ion

A t t h e sammit o f Bou Hedna, a d d i t i o n a l m o i s t z r e from low c louds produces a c Arid S u p e r i o r b i o c l i m a t e and r e s u l t s i c v e g e t a t i o n groups t y p i c a l of a l eppo p i c e f o r m a t i o c s ( ~ c h o e n e n b e r ~ e r 1986). Above 600 - 700 meters , depecdicg on t h e e x p o s i t i o c , a s s o c i a t i o c s 5nclude:

Rosmaricus o f f i c i n a l i s Leuzea c o n i f e r a G l o b a l a r i a alypum Fumana thymi fo l i a G e c i s t a c i n e r e a F. e r i c o i d e s C i s t u s l i b a c o t u s Bupleurum g i b r a l t a r i c u m P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c u s Helianthemum cicereum Cectaurea t e n u i f o l i a H. v irgatum Phagcaloc r a p e s t r e H. semfglabrum

Below t h e s ~ n m i t acd on t h e f o o t h i l l s i s a v e g e t a t i o r grocp t h a t c h a r a c t e r i z e s cl imax j a c j p e r f o r e s t s . Degrada t ioc of t h e climax f o r e s t i s s i g c i f i e d by t h e p re secce of e s p a r t o g r a s s .

J ~ c i p e r ~ s phoecicea P i t u r a c t h o s s c o p a r i z s Rosmariczs o f f l c i n a l i s Thymas h i r t u s G l o b s l a r i a alypsm Sedum sedi forme S t i p a t e r a c i s s i m a Teucrium ramosissimam Fumaca l a e v i p e s Heliacthemum hi r tum

A t t h e base of t h e mozcta ic i s a v e g e t a t i o n group a s s o c i a t e d wi th c a l c a r e o z s c r ~ s t s a r d gypsoas s o i l s , wi th :

A s t r a g a l a s a r n a t z s A t r a c t y l i s s e r r a t u l o i d e s Acabasis oropediorum Erodiam hi r tum Gyrncocarpos decacde r A r i s t a d a c i l i a t a Tetrapogoc v i l l o s ~ s S t i p a p a r v i f l o r a Heliarthemum kah j r l czm Hernear i a fontacesf i C o r i s mocspe l i ec s i s Moricandia a r v e c s i s Rhzs t r i p a r t l t m Fagocia c r e t i c a

Schoececberger (1986) a l s o desc r ibed a s s o c i a t i o n s foacd a t s p r i n g s ( i n c l z d i c g t h e r a r e Sacchordm r a v e c c a e ) , s t r eams , marshes acd rocky f a u l t s . A complete p l a c t l i s t f o r t h e m o a r t a i r acd a d j a c e c t p l a i c i s g i v e r i n t h e pre-pro j e c t p roposa l f o r BOJ Hedma N a t i o c a l park- ( ~ i r . For. 1980).

B. Fauna

Mammals. Boz Hedma has maey mammals endemic t o North Af r i ca acd some threa tened s p e c i e s , such a s aoudad, do rcas g a z e l l e s , s l e rde r -homed g a z e l l e s acd sand c a t F e l i s m a r g a r i t a ( ~ i r . For. 1980). Other mammals t h a t have bee r r epo r t ed i c c l z d e j a c k a l , g e n e t , brow. h a r e , d e s e r t hedgehog, sacd fox Vulpos r u p e l l i , k a f f i r c a t , Saharan s t r i p e d .wease l P o e c i l i c t i s l i b y c a , acd a v a r i e t y of r o d e c t s and b a t s :

Rodects : Hys t r ix c r i s t a t a N A E lephac ta lus r o z e t i NA C tecodac ty l a s gundi NA G e r b i l l u s campes t r i s

G . nanus WA G. s imoci

G . g e r b i l l u s ,

G . pyramidum Pachyuromys d a p r a s i

NA Merioces shawi H. c r a s s a s M. l i b y c u s Psammomys obesus Mus rnasculus Ra t tu s r a t t a s R . a lcxacd r i c u s J a c u l a s j acu lus

Bats: Rhicolophus mehelyi R . e u r y a l e M y ~ t i s b ly th ioxygca thzs E p t e s i c a s s e r o t i c u s i s a b e l l i c u s P l e c o t a s a u s t r i c a c a s aegyp t i cus

Cres ted porcupice Elephant Shrew Gundi G e r b i l s

Shaw's j i r d

Libyac j i r d Sard r a t Hosse mosse b lack r a t palm r a t Lesser Egyptiac jerboa

B i r d s . A g r e a t v a r i e t y of migra tory and w i c t e r i c g b i r d s occur a t D j . - Bou Hedma acd a r e l i s t e d i c S e c t i o n 4 ( ~ o ~ ~ v e r c o r a t of S i d i BOL id). Sadectary b i r d s i c c l u d e a number of c e s t i c g r a p t o r s acd pas se r i ce s p e c i e s ( ~ i r . For. 1980) such a s :

Short- toed e a g l e P e r e g r i c e Blue rock t h r a s h Locg- legged bzzzard Kest r e 1 Rock dove B o r e l l i e s eag le Lancer f a l c o c Mosrcicg wheatear Colder e a g l e L i t t l e s w i f t Black wheatear Egyptiac v ~ l t a r e Crag mar t in Rock sparrow

Grazicg has had a s t m c g i n f l u e c c e on t h e s p e c i e s c ~ m p o s i t i x of Boa Hedma. The most dwamic grazed s p e c i e s ( ~ c h o e n e n b e r g e r 1376 ) a r e :

Ar i s t ada c i l i a t a P e r i p l o c a l a e v i g a t a A. ob tusa Lycium arabiczm Cenchrss c i l i a r i s Rhus t r i p a r t i t ~ m Kor icacdia a r v e n s i s Acacia raddiaca

while s p e c i e s l i k e Acabasis oropediorum acd Cymr.ocarpos decacder a r e s o seve re ly a f f e c t e d by g r a z i c g t h a t r e g e c e r a t i o c ceases .

P a r t of D j . BO.J Hedrna and t h e a d j a c e c t s t e p p e have beec e s t a b l i s h e d a s a c a t i o c a l park. A b o ~ t 3,660 ha a r e k l l y p ro t ec t ed ard ar- addi t l o r a l 12,828 ha a r e r e g ~ l a t e d a s a b s f f e r zoce (IUCB 1987). A ~ i m a l r e i c t rod ;c t ioc acd o t h e r park macagemect p l a c s a r e be5 re implernected ( ~ e c t i o ~ 5 . 4 . 4 ) .

3.4.5. Dou i r a t !4ouctaics

Ic s o u t h e r c T u n i s i a , a l o c g t h e e a s t e r n b o r d e r o f t h e Gracd Erg i s a long c h a i r of low m o ~ c t a i c s acd h igh p l a t e a u s . The Dou i r a t m o x t a i c s a r e o r i e r t e d K-S a rd racge i n a l t i t u d e from 300 - 600 m. Due t o t h e i c c r e a s e d a l t i t ~ d e s , t h e mouctains a r e s l i g h t l y c o o l e r and r e c e i v e more r a i c t han t h e s u r r o a c d i ~ g d e s e r t , b u t t h e annua l p r e c i p i t a t i o c f s s t i l l only 200 - 300 mrn.

Vegeta t ioc . P l a c t a s s o c i a t i o n s i n t h e northern. p a r t of t h e Dou i r a t mouctaics d i f f e r from t h o s e o f t h e s o u t h ic t h a t t h e appe r s l o p e s from Katmata t o D j . Rhar e l Jami (NM of ~ a t a o u i n e ) a r e vege t a t ed by degraded J u n i p e n s phoenicea g a r r i g u e s . J u n i p e r i s s c a r c e on most of t h e mozcta ics a rd may soon d i s a p p e a r comple te ly . Other s p e c i e s o f t h e a s s o c j a t i o c (ORSTOE 1962) i c c l u d e s c a t t e r e d :

Cera toc i a s i l i q a a Rhas t r i p a r t i t a m Olea earopaea o l e a s t e r P e r i p l o c a l a e v i g a t a P i s t a c i a a t l a n t j c a Calycotome v i l l o s a

acd , nore commorly, t he rmoph i l e s acd c a l c i c o l e s :

Tescriam polium Phagnalon s a x i t i l e Rosmaricus o f f i c i c a l i s C i s t i i s l i b a c o t i s Globi i la r ia alypum Fumaca thymi fo l i a

acd o t h e r s p e c i e s , sach a s :

Thymus c a p i t a t u s Gynnocarpos deca rde r T. h i r t u s Heliacthemum kahir icum Cor i s monspe l i ec s i s H. r u f i c o r ~ m A t r a c t y l i s s e r r a t u l o i d e s S t i p a p a r v i f l o r a Gec i s t a microcephala H e r r i a r i a f o c t a c e s i i

O r t h e lower s l o p e s acd on t h e m o x t a i n s t o t h e s o u t h , t h e v e g e t a t i o c grozps i r d i c a t e f b r t h e r d e g r a d a t i o c . The a s s o c i a t i o r of Arthrophytum scopar ian acd Ar temis ia herba-a lba , S t i p a t e c a c i s s i m a v a r i a r t a l s o c o r t a i r s :

Te t rapogor v i l l o s u s Perc ise tum e la tum Hyparrher ia h i r t a

F a r s e t i a aegyp t i aca Mor icacdia a r v e c s i s

Ac o v e r e x p l o i t a t i o n of t h e e s p a r t o g r a s s a r d o t h e r v e g e t a t i o c has r e s z l t e d i n a v e g e t a t i o c s t a g e c h a r a c t e r i z e d by t h e abardacce o f :

Gymcocarpos d e c a r d e r Helianthemirm k a h i r i c u n H e r c i a r i a f r ~ t i c o s a A t r a c t y l i s s e r r a t u l o i d e s Anabasis a r t i c u l a t a oropediorum

This v e g e t a t i o r s t a g e r e p r e s e c t s a c i r r e v e r s i b l e d e s e r t i f i c a t j o r process (Le Hoseros 1959 i r ORSTOM 1962). which seems t o a c c e l e r a t e x d e r dem~graph ic p r e s s z r e .

Fauna of t h e Douira t rnouctains i c c l u d e g i . d i , Eliomys quercycus and - o t h e r roden t s , which a r e preyed upon by j a c k a l s , ao3 the rc fox and a v a r i e t y of r a p t o r s . More complete l is ts are given i n S e c t i o c 4 ( ~ o u v e m o r a t s of Cabes , Wedenine , Tataouine) .

In f luences . I n t e n s e p r e s s u r e from g r a z i c g l l v e s t o c k and people ga the r ing fuelwood and fodde r ha8 degraded t h e Douira t ecosystems t o a very poor a t a t e . The rnoimtaica a r e impor tant as a na t i l r a l b a r r i e r betweer. t h e d e s e r t i c s t e p p e s and Grand Erg t o t h e west and t h e J a f f a r e s t eppe t o t h e e a s t . F u r t h e r deg rada t ion w i l l i c c r e a s e t h e r i s k o f d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c and duce format ioc ic t h e s t e p p e s , as w e l l as r e s u l t i c a c c e l e r a t e d erosior . or. t h e mountains. Ir: t h e Matmatas chair. , more than 750,000 ha have beep t r e a t e d f o r e r o s i o n c o n t r o l ( ~ i r . For. 1986).

3.5. STEPPES

The term s t e p p e i s o f t e n used t o d e s c r i b e any l a r g e p l a i c covered by low, d j s c o c t i c u o u s vege t a t i on . T h i s vague d e f i c i t i o c r e s u l t s jc a r e a s with very d i f f e r e c t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s be i cg c a l l e d s t e p p e s i c va r ious c o u c t r i e s o r c o c t i n e n t s of t h e world. To c l a r i f y t h e term i c T u c i s i a , i t has beee sugges ted t o l a b e l t h e s t e p p e - l i k s a r e a s ' p r e d e s e r t s ' o r 'pos t - f o r e s t s ' , which more c l e a r l y d e s c r i b e s t h e i r s u c c e s s i o c a l s t a g e and c h a r a c t e r k s t i c s (Le Hoaerou 1969). However, 1c o r d e r t o remaic c o n s i s t e n t wi th o t h e r l i t e r a t a r e oc T u c i s j a acd t o f a c i l i t a t e groupicg a r e a s of s i m i l a r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , t h e commoc term ' s t e p p e e w i l l be ased i n t h i s documect w i th r e g i o c a l c l a r i f i e r s , s ach a s High S t eppe , Low Steppe , and S a b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l / ~ o c t i n e c t a l Steppe.

The d e f i c i t i v e work o c T s c i s i a ' s s t e p p e v e g e t a t i o c was doce by Le Hosero.; (1969). He desc r ibed t h e f o s r p r i c c i p l e v e g e t a t i o c s t r u c t u r e s t h a t c h a r a c t e r i z e t h e 6 t o 7 m i l l i o c h e c t a r e s of s t e p p e i c T a c i s i a :

- Grass s t e p p e : S t eppes of e s p a r t o , Lygeam spartum, A t i s t i d a s p , e t c . - Lig ros s s t eppe : S t eppes of Arteme9j.a herba-a lba o r Rhar ther iun s saveo lecs .

- Halophi le s t e p p e : Wide bacds of s a l t t o l e r a c t v e g e t a t i o n aroucd t h e c h o t t s (350,000 h a t o t a l ) .

- Wooded s t e p p e o r pseado savaccah: S t e p p e s wi th s c a t t e r e d t r e e s s ach a s Acacia r add iaca o r P i n a s h a l e p e c s i s .

The g e r e r a l r e g i o c a l c a t e g o r i z a t i o ~ of s t e p p e s s e d i c t h i s documect w i l l a l s o j c c l ~ d e t h e f o l l o w i c g more s p e c i f i c v e g e t a t i o c t ypes d i s t i c g s i s h e d by Le Foueroa:

- Pseudo-steppe: S t eppes o f s h r u b s o r ' s c r ~ b ' from 0 .5 t o 3 m t a l l , i c c l a d i c g Retama raetam, Ephedra a l a t a ssp . a l e c d a , Cal l igon-m comossm acd Zizyphas l o t u s .

- P r a i r i e s : S e a s o ~ a l h e r b fo rma t iocs of s p e c i e s sgch a s Fes t aca a r ~ c d i c a c e a acd T r i f o l i u m f r a g i f e r u m a long s t r eams o r i c d e p r e s s i o c s .

- Keadows: Seasona l herbaceogs f o n n a t i o c s ic Subhumid o r Semi-arid S z p e r i o r b i o c l i m a t e s (ex . bu lbosa , Loliam p e r e x e . - C z l t i v a t e d l ands : I c c l u d i c g o r c h a ~ ~ , ~ ~ ~ , g r a i c s (1,500,000 ha) and f a l l o w g r o x d .

A s t h g s de f ined , t h e s t e p p e s o f T u c i s i a a r e t h o s e non-moactainous a r e a s t o t h e sou th and e a s t o f t h e Tun i s i an Dorsa l and t o t h e e a s t o f t h e Grand Erg ( f i g u r e 10 ) . l i a loph i l e s t e p p e v e g e t a t i o n has beee desc r ibed i c s e c t i o n 3.3.2. The f o l l o w i c g s e c t i o c s w i l l d e s c r i b e t h e v a r i o z s g e c e r a l s t eppe r e g i o c s o f T a c i s i a .

Figure 10

Steppes and Grand Eastern Erg

of Tunisia

Gulf of C w e r

High Steppe

Low Steppe

Subdesertic Littoral Steppe

Subdesertic Continental Steppe

Grand Eastern EI

I r f l u e n c e s . The i m p ~ c t s of humar a c t i o c s have had a p r o f o a d i r f l u e r c e o r t h e s t e p p e s . ?Y~ch o f t h e s t e p p e s of c e r t r a l T x i s S a have beer c u l t i v a t e d o r e x p l o i t e d f o r e s p a r t o g r a s s , a r d a lmost a l l of t h e s t e p p e a r e a s a r e grazed . Overgrazing has beer. e s t ima te8 a t 5 E more t h a r t h e s a s t a j n a b l e p r o d u c t i o r i c c e r t r a l T u r i s i a acd 25c i r t h e s o ~ t h ( D i r . For. 1986). T h i s e x c e s s i v e p r e s s u r e has r e s u l t e d i r t h e degrada t ion of much p rodac t ive l a r d a r d makes t h e r e g i o r s s ~ s c e p t i b l e t o d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c .

T u c i s i a i s o r e o f t h e most eroded Med i t e r r aceac c o u r t r i e s and oce o f t hose most t h r e a t e r e d by d e s e r t i f i c a t i o n ( ~ i r . For . 1985). Kore t h a r h a l f t h e a r e a o f T m i s i a i s a f f e c t e d by d e s e r t j f i c a t i o n ( D i r . For. 1977) acd over 18,000 ha a r e l o s t t o t h e d e s e r t each y e a r ; h a l f o f which i s a g r i c ~ l t ~ r a l l and . The t h r e e f a c t o r s most r e s p o r s a b l e f o r t h e rap id d e s e r t i f i c a t i o r a r e : decreased f o r e s t v e g e t a t i o r ( c o l o n i a l h a r v e s t i c g , fuelwood c o l l e c t i o r , g r a z i r g ) ; r e d ~ c t i o r acd d e g r a d a t i o r o f g r a z i c g l a r d s ( l a r d l o s t t o c u l t j v a t i o r o r overgrazed and l o s t t o t h e d e s e r t ) ; acd a g r i c u l t ~ r a l p r a c t i c e s ( d i s c p lowi ra , d r y - f e r a i r q methods acd plowjrg a g a i r s t t h e c o n t o a r o r s l o p e s ) . With d e s e r t i f j c a t i o r cor.es severe e r o s i o r a rd r a i c w a t e r r x o f f ( r a t h e r t h a r p e r c o l a t i o r ) . t h e erosio: a rd r x o f f cazse f l o o d s , t h r e a t e r conmuc i t i e s , f i l l r e s e r v o i r s , r e d i c e s ; t t e r r a r c a r water t a b l e s , r;ir f a r n l a c d s a rd s t e p p e h a b i t a t s , acd wash o,t roads.

To combat d e s e r t i f i c a t i o r , t h e T u c i s i a r govercmect has a t t ~ m p t e d s e v e r a l t y p e s of p r o j e c t s , i c c l ~ d i c g racge naragemect , d,zre f i x a t i o r , a rd s o i l a rd wa te r c o r s e r v a t i o c . S o i l acd wa te r c o c s e r v a t i w . p r n j e c t s x ~ a l l y d e a l wi th e r o s i o c c o c t r o l , such a s t e r r a c i r g s l o p e s ; c o c s t r z c t i r g embarkmects, low rock w a l l s acd o t h e r b a r r i e r s t c sloyl: r z r o f f ; p l a c t i c g f o r a g e , s o i l - f i x i r g p l a r t s , l i v i r ~ hedges a r d w i rdb reaks ; a rd c r e e t i r g s tock pocds t o c a p t u r e r x o f f o r s l o p e s ( D i r . For . 19E5).

Goverrner t p r o j e c t s f o r p a s t u r e i np rovemer t , r e g e c e r a t i o r of p s b l i c g r a z i c g l a r d s , e r o s i o c c o r t r o l a rd a c t i - d e s e r t i f i c e t i o c have met wi th v a r i e d l e v e l s of s a c c e s s . However, c o r t i c u e d pop; la t ior growth is r e s z l t i ~ g i r i c c r e a s i r g p r e s s u r e o r l a r d s d e c r e a s i r g i r p r o d z c t l v i t y acd a d d i t i o r a l p r o t e c t j o r acd irnprovemert n e a s s r e s a r e ceeded.

The f l o r a acd f a a r a of t h e s t e p p e s a r e e s p e c S a l l y s e r s i t i v e t o :

Vege ta t i o r removal: - Graz icg , e s p a r t o g r a s s h a r v e s t i c g

Water t a b l e m a c i p z l a t i o c

Hact ing and Poach i rg - S s p e c i a l l y u r g u l a t e s

3.5.1. High Steppe

The High S teppe i s loca t ed ro;if;hly betweec t h e Tz r i s j s r . 3orsiil a rd Bor j Kaajer be1 Abbes ( r o r t h of ~ a f s a ) a rd t o t h e west of F%krassey ir. a r e g i o r of h igh p l a i r s ( o v e r 400 m i r e l t i t s d e ) d iv ided by s e v e r a l m o x t a i c c h e i ~ s ( s e e S e c t i o r 3.4.4) . Deep c a l c e r e 3 ~ s s o i l s a r e d x i r a z t I E t h e high s t e p p e , bd t t h e r e a r e macy a r e a s wi th g y p s o i s , mf i r~oss srd s 6 l i E e

s o i l s (ONUPAA 1985). Accual r a i c f a l l v a r i e s from 100 - 200 mm n e a r Cafsa t o 200 - 300 mm a l o c g t h e T o c i s i a c Dor sa l acd n o r t h e a s t of Cafsa. Mountain summits i c t h e same r e g i o n r e c e i v e 300 - 400 mm agcua l r a i n f a l l . Average t e p e r a t u r e s vary from 16 C i c t h e co r thwes t t o 19 C c e a r Cafsa. A s a r e s u l t of t h e r e l a t i v e l y l o u p r e c i p i t a t i o c acd t h e t empera t z r e t h e b ioc l ima te is Arid S u p e r i o r w i t h a c o o l w i n t e r v a r i a c t i c t h e west p a r t acd a tempera te w i c t e r v a r i a n t i c t h e east p a r t o f t h e High Steppe .

A. Vegeta t ion

Vegeta t ioc of t h e High S teppes was occe domicated by J u c i p e r u s phoenicea . Now j u c i p e r i s o c l y found o r t h e p l a t e a u s acd mouctains, acd t h e p l a i c s a r e covered by a s s o c i a t i o n s of e s p a r t o g r a s s . ' O r t h e h e a v i e r s o i l s i c t h e wes t e r c p a r t of t h e High S teppes t h e v e g e t a t i o n i s dornicated by e s p a r t o and Ar temis ia herba a l b a i c a s s o c i a t i o c with (ORSTON 1962, Le Hoaeroz 1969) :

Haloxylon t a m a r i s c i f o l i s n S a l v i a aegyp t j aca Acabasis a r t i c z l a t a P l a c t a g c ova ta C a r r i c h t e r a aecza C e c t a ~ r e a a c a i l i s Chrysacthemen f L ; s c a t m F e l i a c t h e m x h i r t c n ro f lcomum Arthrophytun s c o p a r - i m

Oc l i g h t e r s o i l s i c t h e u e s t e r c High Steppe a secocdary s t eppe of e s p a r t o acd A r t e n i s i a c a m p e s t r i s , j o i ced by rosemary o r h ighe r ground, domicates. These s o i l s a r e o f t e c p l a c t e d t o o l i v e s . Associated p l a c t s i cc lude :

P l a c t a g o a l b i c a c s K a r i c a r i a p r e s t r a t a Heliarthemam r c f iconum H e r r i a r i a f r u t j cosa H. l i p p i i s e s s i l i f l o r u m Cutacdia d i v a r i c a t a L i c a r i a aegyp t i aca Anacyclzs c y r t o l i p i d i o i d e s C e c i s t a u c i f l o r a h s t r a g a l u s c r s c i a t u s Laucea r e s i d i f o l i a

Ir. t h e southwes t c o r n e r of t h e High S teppe t h e r e i s a l a r ~ e a r e a covered by ax a s s o c i a t i o r of e s p a r t o g r a s s acd:

Heliacthernum l i p p i i A r i s t i d a plumose

P l an t ago a l b i c a c s A t r a c t y l i s s e r r a t c l o i d e s

To the e a s t , i c t h e t r a c s i t i o c zone be tueec t h e High Steppe and t h e Low Steppe a r e a s s o c i a t i o c s dominated by s c a t t e r e d j s j u b e Zizyphus l o t u s acd abucdact Ar temis ia c a m p e s t r i s , w i th combina t ions o f :

E r a g r o s t i s papposa S t i p a p a r v i f l o r a ( o c s a c d ) S. r e t o r t a S. l agascae pabescecs " P l a c t a g o a l b i c a c s P. ova ta C e c i s t a uc i f l o r a L i n a r i a a e g y p t i a c a

I f l o g a s p i c a t a Fagocia k a h i r i c a As t r aga lus c r s c i a t a s Ocopordoc a r e c a r i ~ m Scablosa a r e c a r i a A r j s t i d a o b t ~ s a A t r a c t y l i s cacd5da P.. f l a v a c i t r i c a

Ic t h e s o u t h e e a t , h e a v i e r s o i l s r e s u l t i n Ar temis ia herba a l b a be icg a s s o c i a t e d wi th j u jube and combina t ions of e s p a r t o g r a s s , Asparagas a l b a s and G l o b a l a r i a alyp'im. Along t h e edge of t h e High S teppe , s o s t h of t h e above a s s o c i a t i o n s and e x t e c d i n ~ i c t o t h e Low S teppe is a c a s s o c i a t i o n of R h a c t h e r i m Suaveolens wi th ~ i a i t h u s c r i c i t u s a n d - k r t e m i s i a c a n p e s t r i s .

B. Fauna

Macy of t h e an ima l s found i c t h e moucta ics descecd i c t o t h e p l a i r s t o feed , d r i c k , o r a s p a r t o f a mig ra t ion p a t t e r n . Of s p e c i a l i c t e r e s t i c t h e High S teppe a r e t h r e a t e n e d houbara b u s t a r d s , which c e s t ic t h e e a s t e r c p a r t of t h e r e g i o c , and r a r e hyecas , which descend f r o n t h e mozcta ics t o prey oc wild boar . Common fauna a r e l i s t e d i c S e c t i o n 4 (Gouvercora ts of S i d i Boz Z id , K a s s e r i c e , Ga f sa ) .

C. I c f l a e c c e s

A l a r g e paper m i l l i s l o c a t e d i c K a s s e r i c e . E s p a r t o g r a s s f i b e r s a r e processed a t t h e m i l l t o produce a h igh q u a l i t y paper . Of approximate ly 433,000 ha of decse e s p a r t o s t e p p e s i c T u c i s i a , most a r e ir. t h e High Steppe acd more t h a c h a l f a r e e x p l o i t e d f o r t h e m i 11 ( ~ i r . For. 1986). This e x p l o i t a t i o r , a l o c g wi th ove rg raz i cg acd c l e a r i c g f o r a g r i c ; l t " r e i s having s e r i o u s impac t s oc t h e c a t a r a l v e g e t a t i o c of t h e r e g i o c . Of t h e 124,000 ha of e s p a r t o s t e p p e i n t h e Sidi BO.G Zid Gozvercora t , oc ly o r e t h i r d i s cocs ide red decse o r modera te ly dense , a c o t h e r t h i r d i s s p a r s e acd t h e f i c a l t h i r d i s degraded ( e r o s i o c , f i r e s , c u l t i v a t i o c ) . The F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e has implemected r e g u l a t i o c s t o p r o t e c t t h e s t e p p e s f r 3 s o v e r h a r v e s t i c g , bu t o v e r g r a z i c g and c u l t i v a t i o c a r e problems n w h no re d i f f i c u l t t o c o c t r o l . The paper p l a c t a l s o u s e s l a r g e q z a c t i t i e s of wa te r from t h e Osed Derb acd r e l e a s e s v a r i o 2 s chemica l compovcds i c i t s d i scha rge .

3.5.2. Low Steppe

Eas t of t h e High S t e p p e , n o r t h of Sebkhet M e c h e q z i g ~ e acd sov th of Ec f ida , a v a s t f l a t t o g e c t l y u c d u l a t i c g p l a i c e x t e c d s t o t h e c o a s t . T h r o z g h ~ z t t h e Low S t e p p e , t h e a l t i t a d e i s l e s s t h a c 250 m . Rscoff from t h e High S teppe f lows i c s e v e r a l temporary r i v e r s acd s e t t l e s i r t h e macy dep re s s iocs i c t h e Low S t e p p e , c r e a t i c g s e b k h e t s ( ~ e c t i o c 3 .3 .2) . Shal low s o i l s form or. c a l c a r e o u s c r u s t s th rozgh much o f t h e r e g i o n , a rd i c a r e a s of h ighe r p r e c i p i t a t i o c , red H e d j t e r r a c e a c s o i l s form on hard l imes tone (ONUPAA 1 985 ) .

Most of t h e Low S teppe r e c e i v e s 200 - 300 nun a c c u a l r a i c f a l l , b z t t h e a r e a s o a t h of S fax r e c e i v e s l e s s t h a c 200 mm. Average t empera t a r e s of t h e

0 r eg ioc a r e c e a r 19 C. B ioc l ima te s vary from Semi-arid I c f e r i o r c e a r t h e c o a s t t o Arid I n f e r i o r southwes t of 51 Djem. Eos t of t h e i c l a c d p o r t i o n of t h e Lox Steppe h a s a c Arid S a p e r i o r b i o c l i m a t e ( ~ e Hozeroz 1966).

A. Vege t a t i on

I c t h e Arid S u p e r i o r i n l a c d r e g i o c , t h e dominant v e g e t a t i o c t y p e is t h e j;; jube, Ar t emi s i a c a m p e s t r i s , E r a g r o s t i s papposa a s s o c i a t i o c found ir. t h e e a s t e r c High S teppe . A s s o c i a t i o c s of j u j s b e , Ar temis ia herba a l b a and Aspara-s a l b a s , acd o f Rhantherium suaveo l ens a l s o extend from t h e High S teppe a long t h e s o u t h e a s t e r n edge of t h e Arid S u p e r i o r zone of t h e Low Steppe.

The a l l u v i a l p l a i c s r e a r Kairouan have f i n e t e x t u r e d mils t h a t e r e o f t e n i nucda t ed and a r e v e g e t a t e d t o ( ~ e Houerou 1969):

Beta macrocarpa Scolymzs macula tus

Silybum eburneum

Aroucd t h e s e b k h e t s , a l m g s a l i c e watersheds acd i c a l a r g e a r e a sx r roucd i cg Kairosar . , t h e pr imary v e g e t a t i o c t y p e i s t h e h a l o p h i l e a s s o c i a t i o c de sc r ibed i r . S e c t i o c 3.3.2. Gypsous s o i l s t o t h e no r thwes t , ~ 0 2 t h a rd s o s t h e a s t o f Sebkhet S i d i e l Haci a r e vege t a t ed t o t h e Cynara c a r d ~ c c u l u s , Lygeum s p a r t ~ m , Cycodoc d a c t y l o c groap. Alocg t h e c o a s t , from Ecf ida t o S o z s s ~ , t h e v e g e t a t i o c of t h e Sen i - a r i d I c f e r i o r . (mi ld w i c t e r v a r i a c t ) b i o c l i m a t e i s domicated by:

Ar t emi s i a herba a l b a Ar i s a rum v ~ l g a r e S t i p a p a r v i f l o r a Lavacdula m u l t i f i d a Zizyphzs l o t 2 s Phlomis f l o c c o s a Heliarthemam 11 p p i i E c h i o c h i l o c f n t i c o s a m I!. racemossn Lygeum s p a r t u n A t r a c t y l i s s e r r a t s l o i d e s

Soath of Sozs se , t h e ab3ve v e g e t a t i o c i s jo ined by v a r i a c t s i n d i c a t e d by Solacsin sodosaearn o r Cycodoc d a c t y l o c acd A r t e n i s i a herba a l b a , which a r e i c t e r s p e r s e d w:th a r e a s of a l l u v i a l p l a i c s .

The Arid S z p e r i o r r e g i o c a l o c g t h e c o a s t s o u t h of E l Djem i s vege t a t ed t o v a r i o z s a s s o c i a t i o c s of k r t e m i s i a , i c c l u d i c g :

Ar t emi s i a herbz a l b a G l o b u l a r i a alypzm A . c a n p e s t r i s D iac thus c r i c i t s s Zizyphzs l o t u s Rhantherism suaveo l ens E r a g r o s t i s papposa A t r a c t y l i s s e r r a t u l ~ i d e s Asparagzs a l b u s

o r , r e & r Sebkhet E l Djen acd t h e c o a s t :

T r i g o c e l l a a c g u i c a Lyge.;m s p a r t u n

Solacam sod~maeam

The f a x e of t h e Lox S t eppe i s s i m i l a r t o t h a t of t h e High S teppe acd i s l i s t e d i c Sec t lor . 4 ( ~ o z v e r r - o r a t s of Ka i ro sac , Sousse , S f a x ) . Of s p e c i a l i c t e r e s t a r e t h r e a t e c e d hozbara b ~ s t a r d s , which r e s t r e a r Kair-c;ac.

C. I n f l u e c c e s

Nost o f t h e i n l a n d a r e a o f t h e Low S t e p p e i s c u l t i v a t e d acd t h e c o a s t a l a r e a s a r e c u l t i v a t e d acd p l a r t e d t o o l i v e s . T h e r e f o r e , t h e l a r g e s t a r e a o f u n c u l t i v a t e d h a b i t a t i s composed of t h e s e b k h e t s acd zones w i t h s a l i n e s o i l s . C r a z i n g i s heavy t h r o u g h o a t t h e r e g i o c acd poach ing o f brow. h a r e acd b a r b a r y p a r t r i d g e is commor.

3.5.3. S a b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e

South o f t h e Low S t e p p e , t h e S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e e x t e c d s i n l a c d a l m o s t t o C a f s a , t h e c c a r r o w s s o a t h o f S e b k h e t ec Nosal t o t h e a r e a betweec Sebkhe t e l Hamna and t h e c o a s t acd e x t e c d s s o u t h t o T a t a o z i n e . A t T a t a o u i c e , t h e b o r d e r o f t h e S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e c u r v e s c o r t h acd t h e c s o s t h e a s t t o t h e L i b y a r b o r d e r . A s w i t h t h e Low S t e p p e , t h e a l t i t u d e of t h e S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e i s less t h a c 250 n ; h i g h e s t c e a r t h e High S t e p p e aKd D o u i r a t m o i x t a i c s acd l o w e s t r e a r t h e c o e s t . S l i b s t r a t e s a r e l i n e s t o r e o v e r l a i r by c a l c a r e o z s , gypsous acd s a c d y s o i l s .

Average a c c s a l p r e c i p i t a t i o c i 6 t h e r g g i o c i s from 100 t o 200 mm and a v e r a g e a c c s a l t e n p e r a t ~ r e s a r e 19 t o 2 0 C. Wiclmum w i x t s r t e m p e r a t a r e s

9 0 average 6 C ard maximsm samrner temperatures average 35 C . The b i o c l i m a t e o f t h e S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e i s Arjd I r f e r i o r , mild w i r t e r v a r l a c t .

A. V e g e t a t i x

Although t h e l o c g i t u d i c a l acd l a t i t u d j r a l r a r g e o f t h e S s b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e i s l a r g e , t h e M e d i t e r r a c e a c s e a m o d e r a t e s t h e c l i m a t e acd t h e pr imary f a c t o r i c f l u e n c i c g t h e v e g e t a t i o r - a p p e a r s t o be t h e i c l a c d e x t e c s i o c . C o a s t a l v e g e t a t i o x t y p e s have b e e r d e s c r i b e d i r S e c t i o r 3 .1 .4 . A r , i c t e r e s t i r g a s s o c i a t i o r t h a t grows o r u p l a r d s a l o c g t h e c o a s t so l i th o f Kceiss i s t h a t o f Zygophyllum a l b ~ m acd ~ n a r r h i r u n b r e v i f o l i ~ n . Near t h e c o a s t a v a r j a c t t o O r o c i s c a t r i x s s p . f a l c a t a is o f t e c f o x d . The a s s o c i a t i o r a l s o e x t e c d s from a r a r e a i r l a n d o f Kceiss i c a bard t o t h e c o r t h o f t h e C h o t t s t h a t p a s s e s throi lgh C a f s a . A s t h e Zygophylllim- Acar rh icun a s s o c i a t i o x e x t e c d s i c l a c d , a v a r i a r t t o M o r i c a r d l a a r v e c s i s a p p e a r s .

Most o f t h e S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e i s v e g e t a t e d by a s s o c i a t i o c s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by c o m b i r a t i o c s o f :

R h a c t h e r i m s a a v e o l e c s ( 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 ha t o t a l acd A r t e m i s i a c a m p e s t r i s i r ~ u c i s i a )

w i t h s ~ b a s s o c i a t i o c s o f

A t r a c t y l l s s e r r a t ; l o i d e s o I' L y g e ~ r s p a r t z n

2 P i t a r a c t h o s t o r t u o s u s and Haplophyllum ve rmicu la i r e

with a s u b a s s o c i a t i o r . of

Erodiam glaucophyllum

3 1 Artemis ia herba a l b a (350.000 ha ) and Arthrophytum scoparium

with sub a s s o c i a t i o n s of

Gymnocarpos decander and S t i p a t enac i s s ima o r Erodium glaucophyllum

Xorth of Gabes i s t h e a d d i t i o c a l a s s o c i a t i or. o f :

Ar temis ia herba a l b a Lygeum sparturn

acd P t e r a c t h u s dichotomas

S x t h o f Gabes, t h r e e o t h e r a d d i t i o c a l a s s o c i a t i o c s appear:

1 > Rhactherium suaveolens (250,000 ha) Asphodelis r e f r a c t u s

acd A t r a c t y l i s s e r r a t u l o i d e s

A r i s t i d a pungens acd S c r o f u l a r i a s aha rae

Zizyphus l o t u s a rd Retama raetam

West of Sebkhet Hacsoar , toward Gafsa, t h e previous a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e replace2 by a s s o c i a t i o c s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by:

A r t h r o p h y t ~ m schmit t ianum (-50,000 ha) a rd Thymelaea microphylla

with v a r i a x t s t o

Ar temis ia c a m p e s t r i s and Dip lo t axus h a r r a

Hedysar"m carnosum Peganum harmala

Aaabas is a p h y l l a Suaeda ve rmica l a t a

A t t h e base of Djebe l Bou Hedma, t h e v e g e t a t i o n i n t h e s o ~ t h e r c p a r t of t h e s t eppe a r e a of t h e c a t i o c a l park ( S e c t i o n 5 . 4 . 4 ) i s r ep re sec t ed by a .

psammophyte grocp. S p e c i e s i c t h e group ( ~ c h o e c e n b e r g e r 1986) i c c l u d e :

Rhactheriam s s a v e o l e n s Ce r t au rea dimorpha kr throphy turn s chmi t t i a r am Argyrolobium u r i f l o r u n Ech ioch i loc f ru t i cosum S i l e c e a r ena r i o i d e s Artemesia c a n p e s t r i s Catacche a r e n a r i a Mar rub i~m d e s e r t i S a l s o l a v e m j c a l a t a Polygocsm e q u i s e t i f o r m e Chrysanthemum t r i f u r c a t u m N o l l e t i a chrysocomoides F a r s e t i a aegyp t i aca E r a g r o s t i s papposa E r a s s i c a t o u r c e f o r t i i Dacthocia f o r s k a h l i i A s t r a g a l a s c a p r i c u s S t i p a t e g a s c a e A . hamosus A r i s t i d a plumosa I f l o g a s p i c a t a A . purge r s P i t u r a r t h o s t o r t u o s u s Eeliarthernzm l i p p j s e s s i f l o r ~ m

There 5 s a l s o a v a r j a r t a t 33: H e d ~ a c h a r a c t e r i z e d by l imorophgtes . Cerea l c r zps a r e p l a r t e d i r t h e s e a r e a s . Ir dry y e a r s t h e s o i l i s a lmost bare s i r c e P . r t h r . o~hy t in s c o ~ a r j ~ r n acd Pegarzm h a m a l a a r e o f t e c t h e only p e r e r c : ~ l s . Other s p e c i e s i c c l a d e :

Ar temis ia herba a l b a S a l v i a a e g y p t i a c a D i p l o t a x s s h a r r a Er;ca v o s c a r i a Ve l l a a r c s a C l a d a c t h ; ~ a r a b i c u s kj"ga i v a Kedj cago t r ; r c a t " l a T r j g o r e l l a p o l y c e r a t a

Limocium b o c d s e l l i Locchophora c a p i o m o ~ t a n a Vic j a mortana A s t e r i s c a s pygmaeus E r a r t h r o c a r p s s c l a v a t a s Yalva p a r v i f l o r a Arnberboa l i p p i i Reseda decu r s iva S t i p a r e t o r t a

Schoererberger (1996) a l s o l i s t e d v a r i a ~ t s t h a t appear or s a l t y , gypsoss a rd wet s o i l s . Of s p e c i a l i r t e r e s t i s a p s e ~ d o - s a v a c c a of Acacia raddieca t h a t appea r s i n some of t h e above a s s o c i a t i o c s . Ir t h e p a s t , t h e e r t j r o r e g i o r was covered by sava rca ( s e e S e c t i o r 2.3, ~ l o r a ) . iiow t h e r e a r e oc ly c.10 ha l e f t t h a t a r e don j r a t ed by Acacia r add iaca acd some s c a t t e r e d t r e e s i r t h e Bled Ta lha r e g i o r . The cl imax a c a c i a psesdo- savanca is t y p i c a l l y accornpacied by:

Pistac:a a t l a r t i c a Zizyphus l o t u s P h ~ s tri pa r t i t a rn P e r i p l o c a l a e v i g a t a Lavacdsla m a l t i f j da Lyciam sp . L . co ro rop i f o l i a

The l a r g e s t mammals of t h e n o s t of t h e S s b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S teppe a r e j acka l s ard fox. IT. soze reg jor . s , s;ch a s Br?; l t e d ~ a , do rcas g a z e l l e s and slecder-horced e a z e l l e s a l s o o c c ~ r . Brow. h a r e a r e connoc, a s w e l l a s a v a r i e t y of r o d o r t s , 1 r c l ; d i r g ?15oin~~~s q ; e r c y c ~ s ar.d t h e l tor th A f r i c a c

endemic Shew's j i r d . Nacy s p e c i e s o f r a p t o r s h u n t i c t h e r e g i o n , and t h e t h r e a t e c e d houbara b s s t a r d is r e p o r t e d t o n e s t t h e r e . O t h e r s p e c i e s commoc t o t h e S a b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e a r e l i s t e d i~ S e c t i o c 4 ( ~ o s v e r c o r a t s o f S f a x , S i d i Bou Z i d , G a f s a , Cabes, acd ~ e d i c i c e ) .

C. I c f l u e n c e s

Forage p r o d u c t i o n i s f a i r l y h i g h i c a s s o c i a t i o n s o f Rhanther ium suaveo1er.s acd A r t e m i s i a (200 Forage ~ n i t s / h a ' ) , Rhacther ium and As h o d e l i s r e f r a c t u s A r t h r o h tum s c h m i t t i a c a m (180 t t h e y a r e - e x ' (Le Houerou and P r o n e c t 1966). Ic t h e k o r t h p a r t o f t h e r e g i o c , much of t h e s t e p p e i s c u l t i v a t e d , some of whjch i s p l a c t e d t o o l i v e s . C u l t i v a t i o n by t r a c t o r s w i t h d i s c s is a major caiise o f e r o s i o n i n t h e S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S teppe . R a v i c e s and sar.dy s o i l a r e o f t e c plowed, r e s u l t i n g ir a c c e l e r a t e d g a l l y acd d a c e f o m a t i o c . With t h e i m p a c t s o f o v e r g r a z i r g added t o poar f a r m i c g p r a c t i c e s , macy a r e a s a r e i c d a c g e r o f d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c .

To c o c t r o l d e s e r t i f i c a t i ~ c i c degraded a r e a s , windbreaks , s o i l s t e b i l i z e t i o c p l a c t j c g s and w a t e r s h e d macagemeet p r a c t i c e s have b e e c implemected. Kacy of t h e s e a r e a s a r e showicg f a v o r a b l e r e s u l t s , b z t p r o b l e n s w i t h s p e c i e s s e l e c t i o c a a d p l a n t a t i o c s u r v i v a l have reduced s x c e s s i c o t h e r l o c a t i o c s .

Poachicg o f h a r e and p a r t r i d g e i s a common p r a c t i c e . U n d e r s t a f f e d and icad;q;ately oq2ipped e c f o r c e m e c t a g e c t s are o n l y a b l e t o reduce t h e l e v e l o f poach icg ; t h e y a r e by no meacs a b l e t o s t o p i t . H a b i t a t d e g r a d a t i o c combiced w i t h heavy h u c t i c g p r e s s u r e ( l e g a l and i l l e g a l ) a r e s e v e r e l y a f f e c t i ~ g t h e b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y o f t h i s r e g i o n . The r e g i o c h a s p o t e c t i a l f o r a v a r i e t y o f p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o c s acd an imal s p e c i e s ( g a z e l l e s , addax , o ryx acd o s t r i c h f o r m e r l y o c c u r r e d ) , b a t i t is v e r y s e c s i t i v e t o i r f l u e c c e s t h a t remove v e g e t a t i o c , i n c r e a s e e r o s i o n o r e x c e s s i v e l y d e c r e a s e w i l d l i f e p o p z l a t i o c s .

3.5.4. S u b d e s e r t i c C o c t i r e c t a l S t e p p e : G a f s a , J e r i d , Dahar

Soz th of t h e t h r e e p r e v i o u s l y d e s c r i b e d s t e p p e s , t h e S u b d e s e r t i c C o c t i c e c t a l S t e p p e e x t e c d s s o u t h and west t o t h e edge o f t h e S a h a r a (Gracd E a s t e r c ~ r g ) . I n t h i s documect , t h e r e g i o n n o r t h o f t h e c h o t t s is c a l l e d t h e Gafsa p l a i c s , s o a t h o f C h o t t e l C h a r s a i s J e r i d and t h e r e m a i c d e r o f t h e s o s t h e a s t e r c S u b d e s e r t i c C o c t i n e n t a l S t e p p e i s t h e Dahar p l a i n (which a l s ~ i c c l u d e s p a r t o f t h e J a f f a r a r e g i o c ) . I n t h e S u b d e s e r t i c C o n t i c e c t a l S teppe , l i m e s t o n e s u b s t r a t e s a r e o v e r l a i n by s a c d y c a l c a r e o u s s o i l s w i t h macy gypsoas l o c a t i o n s .

Uc l ike t h e S a b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e , t h e S u b d e s e r t i c C o c t i c e c t a l S teppe does c o t b e c e f i t g r e a t l y from t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a a s e a acd o n l y 180 - 200 mr: r a i c f a l l s a c c z a l l y . T e m p e r a t u r e s a r e v e r y h i g h , a v o r a g i c g 19 t o

0 0 20' C . E.verage s m w r maximi;ms a r e r e a r 0 0 C , w i t h e x t r e m e s o v e r 50 C.

0 Average w i n t e r m i c i n ~ m s a r e 3-5 C. Along t h e n o r t h acd e a s t edge of t h e S z b d e s e r t f c L i t t o r a l S t e p p e t h e b i o c l i n a t e i s Arid I n f e r i o r , w i t h c o o l ( c o r t h : acd t e m p e r a t e ( e a s t ) w i c t e r v a r i a n t s . E a s t of T a t a o u i c e , Rernada acd Deklbat t o t h e L jbyac b o r d e r , t h e b i o c l i m a t e is S a h a r a c S r ; p e r i o r , t e n p e r z t e wir . ter v a r i a c t . The rest of t h e S u b d e s e r t i c C o c t i c e c t a l S t e p p e ( s o i t ~ ~ w e s t p r r i o r ) i s S a h a r a c S z p e r i o r , c o o l w i n t e r v a r i a n t .

A. Vegeta t ion

Vegeta t ioc a s s o c i a t i o n s i n t h e Cafsa p l akcs a r e s i m i l a r t o t h o s e descr ibed f o r t h e p a r t of t h e S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S teppe n e a r Cafsa . More s a l i c e s o i l s a r e i n d i c a t e d by t h e presence of S a l s o l a ve rmicu la t a var . v i l l o s a and o t h e r ha lophy te s . There a r e a l s o v a r i a c t s t o L i r c a r i a f a l l a x , Chrysanthem~m fuscatum and e s p a r t o g r a s s of t h e a s s o c i a t i o n o f :

Ar t emis i a herba a l b a Arthrophytum scopariurn Cymcocarpos decander

Near Tozeur t h e v e g e t a t i o n a s s o c i a t i o c s a r e s p a r s e r and c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of Saharac b ioc l ima te s . An a s s o c i a t i o n of

Brocchia c i c e r e a Cornulacea mocacactha Cyperus c o c g l o n e r a t a s

with szb a s s o c i a t i o n s t o

As t r aga lus a rma tus t r a g a c a n t h o i d e s ar.d A r i s t i d a pucgecs

domirates r e a r Tozeur. To t h e s o u t h acd a c r o s s a l a r g e r eg ion on t h e soa th s i d e of Chot t D j e r i d , t h e r e i s a c a s s o c i a t i o c of

Retama raetam Arthrophyturn s c h n i t t i a c u m v a r schmit t ianum

acd Suaeda ve rmicu la t a

Eetueec t h e moactaic r acge p a r a l l e l t o t h e c o r t h e r c edge of Chot t D j e r i d acd Djebel Tabaga i s an a s s o c i a t i o c of

Tragansm cudatum va r . ob tusa tun acd Anabas is a r t i c u l a t a v a r . a r t i c u l a t a

A t t he c o r t h u e s t c o r n e r of t h e Dahar, a l o c g t h e e a s t edge of t h e Retama, Arthrophytum, S ~ a e d a a s s o c i a t i o c desc r ibed a b ~ v e , a r e Tamarix s t a n d s oe coc s a l i c e s o i l s and p a r c e l s vege t a t ed t o :

C a l l i g o c ~ m comosum and A n t h y l l i s s e r i c e a s sp . henoniana

which a l s o occur s o a t h e a s t of Ta t aou ine . Along Djebe l Tabaga acd s o a t h e a s t of Ta t aou ice a r e a r e a s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by:

1 > Rhac t h e r i a m suaveo lecs acd Asphode l i s r e f r a c t u s

vj t h v z r i a c t s t o Savigcy p a r v i f l o r a and A c t h y l l i s s e r j cea he roc i aca

S t i p a t ecac i s s ima )?or5 cacd i a a r v e c s i s Zygophyl lm album Acarrhiccm b rev j fo l jnm

(450,000 ha)

The r iajori t y of t h e Dahar (2 ,103 ,000 ha) is vege t a t ed t o a c a s s o c i a t i o c i c d i c a t e d by:

A c t h y l l i s s e r j c e a s s p hecocia acd Cyncocarpos decacder

with s:ib a s s o c i a t i ~ c s t o

S t i p c l a g a s c a e S t i p e t e c a c j ssima o r Heliar thenum l j ppS i i c t r i c a t u m

There a r e s l s o sone a r e a s w i th h a l o p h j l e a s s D c i a t i o c s ( ~ e c t i o c 3.3.2) acd a s s o c l a t i o r s of

Arthrophytsm schmi tti.acum Retarria r a e t a n

arc? Call igocsm comoscn o r S.;aeda v e r m i c c l a t a

Ic the ce r - t e r of t h e Dahar a r d o r t h e west edge, formicg t h e t r a c s t t: oz zor.e s:: t k t h e Sahara i s

krthrophytzm s c h n i t t . i a c m v a r . p ros t r a t cm ar.2 A . s c o p a i l i n va r . s ccpa r iun

Fazca s f t h e S l b d e s e r t i c C o c t i c e c t a l S teppe a r e l i s t e d i c S e c t j o c G ( G o i v e r ~ o r a t s of Gafsa , T o z e ~ r , K e b i l i , J ~ ? e d i r j c e , ~ a t a o - i c e ) . Of s p e c i a l i c t e r p s t a r e s lecder -horced g a z e l l e s , dorcas g a z e l l e s , k a f f i r c a t acd t h r e a t e r e ? hozbzra b ~ s t t i r d s .

I c f l c e c c e s oc t h e ecosystem i c c l c d e ove rg raz ing and c l e a r i c g v e g e t a t i o c f o r c ~ l t i v a t i o r - of g r a i c s acd orchards . D e s e r t i f i c a t i o c acd duce forna t ior . 5s a s e r i o s s problem acd some remedia l a c t i o c s a r e b e i c g takec ( p l a c t a t i o c s , watershed c o c t r o l s t r u c t u r e s , t e r r a c i n g , eccouragemect of coc toc r p l o u i c g ) . A c a t i o n a l park /b iosphere r e s e r v e has beec proposed f o r t he e a s t e r c p a r t of t h e r e g i ~ c , nea r Hamada, Djebe l Toci acd t h e Libyar- border ( s e e S e c t i o c 5 .4 .7) .

There i s a c c r r e c t p r o j e c t a t t e r p t i c g t o e s t a b l i s h a ' g r e e c b e l t ' o f orchards ar.d cee oases aroncd Chott J e r j d . Over 295,000 ha h ~ v e a l r e a d y beer. e f f ~ c t ~ c ! by t h i s program, whjch c o ~ l a prodcce very f a v o r a b l e r e s c l t s by slswir.,~ t h e r a t s o f d e s ~ r i j f j c a t i o c acd provi.dir.g some fauca h a b i t a t (ss~eciel : : : f o r b i r d s ) . There i s a d a r g e r , however, t h a t t h e messive o ~ a r . t l T l e s I f i r r j ~ a t 5 9 r . wa te r ~ s e d ic t h i s program ccrild cacse x e x p e c t e d r e s p 2 s e s Ir t he m t ~ r tables . ( e x . d ~ s s i c a t i o r of d j s t a r t oa ses ) .

. 3 . 6 . GRAND EASTERN ERG: SAHARA

Alocg t h e southwest edge o f T u n i s i a is p a r t o f t h e v a s t d e s e r t kcowr. as t h e Grand Eas t e rn Erg, o r t h e Sahara ( f i g a r e 10) . L i t t l e r a i c f a l l s i c t h e r eg io r ; t h e ave rage annua l p r e c i p i t a t i o n is 50 - 100 mm a t t h e no r then ; edge and o c l y 20 - 50 mm f o r t h e r e s t . M~ny y e a r s can pas s w i th no r a i c a t a l l . Average t e f p e r a t u r e s a r e above 21 C , wi th summer maximums ave rag i cg above 4 0 C and w i n t e r minimums ave rag ing below 3 C. Hot dry S i rocco winds sweep o v e r t h e land f o r many days a t a t ime i n t h e summer. The ha r sh c l i m a t e h a s l e a d t o t h e fo rma t ioc of v a s t a r e a s of l a r g e sacd duces, which cover t h e Grand E a s t e r c Erg.

The e r g is s e c s i t i v e t o :

- Chacges i r . r a i c f a l l p a t t e r n s - Vege ta t i on removal - Harves t i cg o f r a r e s p e c i e s o f f aaca - e s p e c i a l l y u c g u l a t e s

Ic such a f o r b i d d i c g a r e a , t h e a n m e t of v e g e t a t i o c t h a t does e x i s t i s s u r p r i s i c g . Betweec and oc t h e dunes i s a pseudo-fores t a s s o c i a t i o n of

There a r e from 1 t o 1 0 " t r e e s " p e r h e c t a r e , acd many a r e 8-10 Houeroa 1969, ORSTOM 1962). S p e c i e s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e

a s soc i a t i o r . a r e :

Calligocum a r i c h C . a z e l C . comoszm

r N A Gec i s t a s a h a r a e

A r i s t i d a pucgecs Ephedra a l a t a a l enda Corr.ulaca mocacactha Retama raetam

There a r e over 1 ,720 ,000 ha o f duces w i t h t h e above a s s o c i a t i o n . Oc t h e e a s t e r c edge of t h e s o u t h e r n t i p of T u n i s i a , t h e r e a r e a c a d d i t i o c a l 760,000 ha wi th a s s o c i a t i o c s o f :

1 1 Tragacam nudatum microphyllum S a l s o l a ve rmicu la t a

wi th a v a r i a c t t o

Arthrophy tum scopar iam

acd a sub a s s o c i a t i o n t o

Acabasis a r t i c u l a t a a scecdecs

Heliacthemum cocfer tum brachypodum Call igocum comosam

A c v i l l e a r a d i a t a Ac t i r rh i cum ramosissimum

E. Faana

Slender-horned g a z e l l e s i n h a b i t t h e n o r t h and e a s t edges of t h e reg ioc ; gucdi l i v e i c t h e h i g h e r zones and a v a r i e t y of roden t s , r e p t i l e s and i c s e c t s can be foucd. Nany s p e c i e s of b i r d s a r e adapted t o t h e d e s e r t cond i t iocs and o t h e r s r e s t t h e r e durkng migra t ion .

C. I n f l a e c c e s

Human i c f l u e n c e s i n t h e r e g i o c a r e mostly l i m i t e d t o g r a z i c g by he rds of camels and t h e use of Calligonum f o r fuelwood. While t h e annual f o r a g e production i s only 2 Forage U c i t s pe r h e c t a r e (compared t o 200 FU/ha i n t h e Rhantherium and Ar temis ia c a m ~ e s t r i s s t eppes ) overgrazing problems a r e much l e s s thar. i n t h e s t e p p e s 7-u and Fromect 1966). However, t h e advacce of t h e d e s e r t i c t o t h e a d j a c e n t r e g i o c s i s a s e r i o u s problem f a c i c g Tur i s i a .

3.7. OASES

There a r e a b a i t 60,000,000 n i l l i o r . n3 of wa te r i r . t h e underground r e s e r v o i r s of t h e Sahara ( p a l l a s 1972). Ic p l a c e s where some o f t h a t water r i s e s t o t h e s w f a c e , o a s e s a r e formed. Oases a l s o occur a l o n g s t r e a m ard s p r i c g s L o r t h of t h e Sahara proper . Oases vary i c s i z e from l e s s t h a r oce h e c t a r e t o w e l l ove r oce thousacd h e c t a r e s . The l a r g e r oases a r e c . ; l t ivated i c t e c s i v e l y a r d a r e t h e l o c a t i o c s of t h e major c i t i e s of t h e s o s t h : S f a x , Gabes, Eahares , Cafsa , Tozeur , Ne f t a , Douz, e t c .

There a r e w e l l ove r 75,000 ha of oases ir. T u n i s i a , most of which a r e sub jec t ed t a sone f o r % of c c l t i v a t i o c acd ove r h a l f o f which a r e i r t e c s i v e l y ~naraged . Sone o a s e s have beer. a r t i f i c i a l l y c r e a t e d o r expacded.

Oases a r e s e c s i t , i ve t o :

- Yate r t a b l e n a c i p ~ l a t i o r - Stresm fl07:~ i c t e r r 3 ~ p t i o c - "emoval 3f pa ln t r e e s - C a p t ~ r e of m l g r a t i c g b i r d s

I ~ t e r s l v e c ~ l t i v a t i o c r a k e s i t . d i f f i c ~ l t t o d e t e r n i r e t h e c a t i v e v e g e t a t l o r a s s 5 c i a t i o r s of t h e oases . A p1ar.t s p e c i e s a s s o c i a t e d wi th most oeses i s the r a t c r a l i z e d d a t e palm Phoe r ix d a c t y l i f e r a . Among t h e d a t e p a h s ir. t h e i c l a c d o a s e s r o r t h of K e b i l i acd a l o r g t h e c o a s t t o Z a r z i s ( iccl.;dir-g t h e i s l a c d of ~ e r b a ) t h e v e g e t a t l o r i s commocly characterized by:

1:alva p a r v i f l o r a Aizooc h i s p a r l cum Pegarcn harmala

The oases a t a r d n e a r Cabes a l s o c ~ c t a f ~ t h e r a r e sh rnb P r o s o p i s s t e p h a r j a r i a (O~S'?O:? : 962) . Dile t o t h e i c t e n s e c u l t i v a t i o r , t he o t h e r p l a r t s a s s o c i a t e d wi th oases a r e u s u a l l y c r o p weeds, bu t t h e r e a r e a l s o f e r c s , scch a s bdlactcm c a p i l l i s v e r e r i s acd

Grasses : Par.] c m r e p e c s

Cyperaceaes: Carex e x t e r s a C y p e r ~ s l a e v i g a t c s

Ic a ~ b a l r . ~ t h e i r r i g a t i o r c&ca?s grox a q u a t i c p l a r t s , i c c l z d i cg:

- ~ s t i z c g e t 5 r ~ o d o s i s XarS c h e l l a p a l u s t r i s F. p e c t i c e t : ; ~ fn . y p h ~ a c ~ i i s t l f o l i a

r P. d e z s ~ s ( ~ a f s s ) E ~ p p i a marl t ima r F. 1;;cer.s

Near K e b i l i , oases occur c a t u r a l l y o r have been c rea t ed i n a r e a s p rev iozs ly vegeta ted by t h e a s s o c i a t i o n o f :

Retama raetam Arthrophytum schmit t iacum va r . schmittianum Suaeda ve rmicu la t a

B. Faiica

Mammals foznd i c t h e oases r e f l e c t t h e presence of i c t e r s i v e c u l t i v a t i o c and humac d i s t u r b a r c e . R a t t u s r a t t u s and macy o t h e r sma l l rodec t s ( g e r b i l s , mice, e t c . ) occu r , but t h e oc ly l a r g e mammals a r e wild boa r s , which o c c a s i o c a l l y damage crops . P r e d a t o r s , such a s j a c k a l s , fox acd wild c s t s sometimes v e c t s r e i n t o t h e oases , but they a r e very s e c r e t i v e ecd o f t e c oc ly remajc f o r a s h o r t per iod of t ime.

Cases I s provide 6c e x c e l l e c t r e s t i c g f o r a v a r i e t y of mig ra t i cg b i r d s acd nzcy s e i e c t z r y s p e c i e s r e s t a t t h e oases o r e c t e r t o feed and d r i ck . F i sh occ;r r a t i r ~ l l y , acd have beec i c t r o d u c e d , ir macy ~ f t h e oases. The types of f :sh i r .c l .~de:

Aphaczs 9arS;s a c t i c o r i i Eezichrornis

Gambusi a A s t a t o t i l a p i a Ti l a p i a ( ~ a r o t h e r o d o c )

k s p revious ly mectioced, t h e primary humar. i c f l u e c c e o r o a s i s ecosy s t e n s i s i c t e c s i v e c z l t i v a t i o c acd i r r i g a t i o c . Wells d r j l l e d t o i r r i g t i t e rev c r o p l a r d s have reduced wa te r f lows i c some a r e a s a rd r e s u l t e d i c t h e a e s s i c a t i o c o r d e p r a d a t i o r of some oases . Duricg t h e s p r i n g , m i g r a t i r g b i r d s a r e o f t e c captured with s n a r e s ic t h e oases ( ~ r ~ m m e t 1 9 ~ 7 ) .

!'lacy oases a r e t h rea t eced by t h e e f f e c t s of d e s e r t i f i cat joc . Wicd blowr. sacd can be trapped by t h e palm t r e e s acd moving dunes cac cover a n o a s i s des t roy icg t h e ecosystem. The F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e has implemented p r o t e c t i o c measures a t more than 50 oases , i n c l u d i n g p l a n t i c g 1 ,700 ha of wicdbreaks t o p r o t e c t some of t h e more economical ly impor tac t acd i chab i t ed a r e a s .

4 . BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY DATA BY GOUVERNORAT

T u c i s i a i s d iv ided i n t o 21 governmental u n i t s , o r gouve r ro ra t s . Ic t h i s s e c t i o n , summaries a r e g iven o f t h e major ecosystems; s p e c i f i c sites, f l o r a and fauna of i c t e r e s t ; and f a c t o r s i n f l u e n c i n g b i o l o g i c a l d ive r s3 ty i n each gouvercora t . S p e c i f i c s i t e s a r e c r o s s r e f e r enced t o s e c t i o n s where more d e t a i l e d i n f o r m a t i o ~ can be found. The headings 'Medicinal P l a c t s ' acd 'Genet ic Resource P l a c t s ' r e f e r t o S e c t f o c 2.3.1.

The l i s ts g iven a r e no t comple te , and sometimes t h e r e l a t i v e l e c g t h s may cor respocd more t o r e s c a r c h and r e p o r t i c g i n t e n s i t y t h a c t o comparat ive d i f f e r e c c e s i c b i .o log5ca l d i v e r s i t y betweec gouvercora ts . The summaries a r e i r t e c d e d t o g i v e b a s e l i c e d a t a a r d h i g h l i g h t ecvi rocmecta l coccErcs , which c a r be used i n p r e p a r i c g Ecvi ronmecta l Assessmects f o r p r o j e c t s t a r g e t e d i c t h e v a r i o u s gouve rno ra t s . The summaries a r e a l s o in tended t o f a c i l i t a t e t h e s e l e c t i o c of p r i o r i t y a r e a s f o r s p e c i e s o r ecosys t ez s p e c i f i c c o c s e r v a t i o n p r o j e c t s .

The g o J v e r c o r a t s a r e p re sen ted ir. t h e f o l l o w i n g a r d e r :

BEJA JERDOUSA LE KEF SILIANA E I ZERTE KABEUL TUNIS ZAGHOUP.!J K A I R O U A K KASSERIKE SIDI BOU Z I D KAHDI A 1,IONASTIR SOUSSS SFAX GABES CAFSA KEBILI KEDENINE TfiTAOUI1:E POZEUT?

A . BEJA

Area: 355,000 ha

Major Ecosystems: ~ roumi r i e /Eogbd Mouctaics High T e l l Coral Coast I s l and Med j e rda Val ley

S p e c i f i c S i t e s 1mportar.t t o B i o l o g j c a l D i v e r s i t y : Be l i f F o r e s t : 15,000 ha cork oak f o r e s t ( ~ e c t i o c 3 . 4 . 1 ~ ) Andoac Fo res t : 5 ,800 ha cork oak f o r e s t , c o r t h of Beja Coral Coast : S e c t i o c 3.1.1 G a l i t e Archipelago acd Reserve: 700 ha ( ~ e c t i o c 3.2.1 ) !hi bes Reserve : S e c t j or. 5. A . 10 Lake Ch i t ace : S e c t i o c 3.3.4.1 S i d i Sa len Eese rvo i r : 4 ,600 ha ( ~ e c t i o r . 3.3.:~) Kasseb !Ian Reservoi r : 400 hz

F l o r e : I;et;ral F o r e s t : 33,455 ha

Cork oak f o r e s t - S e c t i o r 3.4.1n P l ac t ed f o r e s t - 27,WO ha (505 maceged f o r e s t )

bleppo p i c e , p lgcoc p i c e , mar i t ime p i c e , e aca lyp tus ?iaq;is: 36,500 ha O l e a - l e c t i s c ~ s ( ~ e c t i o c 3.4.2)

Coas ta l maq;is ( ~ ~ c t i o c 3.1 . I ) Degraded cork oak/aleppo p i c e f o r e s t ( s e c t i o n 3.4. I D )

F o r e s t C l e a r i c e s : 1 ,760 ha C s l t i v a t r d P l a i c : 23C,000 ha

Rare acd Ecdezlc P l a c t s : v k l t e r c a c t h e r a s e s s i :is rlJA Li cum c o r y n b i f e r ~ m lambesacum

,caczr? Cyclamec a f r' ?A G e c i s t a u l c i c a Teac r i an psezdo-scorodoc5a " B r a s s i c a c r e t i c a a t l a c t i c a T . r a d i c a c s " Reseda du r i aeca L i c e r i a f l a v a " Ramex a r i s t i d i s L. p i m i f o l i a T R. t u r e t a c ~ s Ococis mi t i ss ima rTA Maresia malcolmoides C o r o c i l l a a t l a c t i c a TA Si lece s c a b r i d e Nymphea a l b a TA S. t u c e t a c a Lathyrus c i s s o l i a r S. c e e l e c t e

v = Very Rare R A = North Africa Ecdemic r = Rare TA = T u c i s i a / ~ l g e r i a Endemic

T = T u c i s i a Bcdemic

K e t l c l c a l P l a x t s : Cacpsr: s sp:rosa (:rcorn~5r) Lavacdzla n s l t i f i d a Yyrt;s ccrmrr.s.i s Asphodeli s m i c rocarpa Rosmariczs of fl c i c a l i s E r i c a sp. F l s t a c i a l e r t i s c i s

C e c e t i c R e s o u r c e P l a c t s : C e r a t o c i a s i l i q u a LLibstus mx?do Olea e a r o p a e a o l e a s t e r Crateegila azamlaaa Q u e r c a s i l e x 3 u b s Wferia Q. s u b e r Hedysarirm -

Fauca : Mammals:

Wild b o a r J a c k a l Red f o x E g y p t i a r m x g o o s e C r e s t e d p o r c u p i c e

3i r d s : G r e a t c r e s t e d Grebe Grey hereor. mite stork Black k i t e h z z a r d Lorg- l egged bazzard Karsh h a r r i e r K e s t r e l Q;a i l Barbary p a r t r i d g e Coot Yoorher. P i r t a i l K e c t i s h p l o v e r \loodcock S l e c d e r - b i l l e d g u l l S p a c i s h spar row S p o t l e s s s t a r l i c g Raver.

Aock d m Ybod pigem f a h ~DvF? TLartle duw? Sidf t 3ee eater C r e e r mdperker 3*d Great grey s h r i k . Yoodcfiat shrike Sardirian mrbler Dartford w a r b l e r S p ~ t t e d flycatcher Alack-eared wheatear glackbfrd Nigf i t ingah G r e a t tit G ~ l d f ir-cfi C h a f f i ~ c b

I r , f l u e r c e s : K y r t u s commucis h a r v e s t i z g Cork h a r v e s t i c g C a l t i v a t i o c , g r a z i c g 3 Fauca R e s e r v e s D2r.e S t a b i l i z e t i o r . - 20 km Lit toral Cordon, 3,470 fia M e d P r a i r i e Crea t io r . - 613 ha

R a j m " L c o s y s t ~ : K r w z i r i e Y&rtaim High T e l l Cora l Coast Wdjen3a Valley

SpecFfic S i t e s I m p o r t a t t t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : 3l Feid ja : Oak fowst, F a u m r e s e r v e , Sec t ior . 3.4.1.1 fir. Drahm: Oak fbrest ( ~ e r t l o r : 3.4.1.2) Aiz BBccouCtl Reserve: 3 a r b a r y d e e r Dar Fatme Bogs 3 ha, ( ~ e c t i o r : 3.3.4.5) Plar i t ime Pine Tores t : S e c t i n : 3.4.1 f l e s e r w i r s : 3 3 ~ ~ 5 35tir; Hamnsm S n u r g z i b a ; B m h'uertma

Flora : 1iat;rel Fo re s t :

Cork oak - 47,379 ba &r./Cork oak - 33,633 ha x a r i t i m e piz* - 5,500 ha d e p p o pire - 9,509 ha

P l a x t e d P o r e s t : 2,033 ha A l e p p ~ ?ire, ~TIPss, e-jptos, a c a c i a

h q ~ i s : 16 ,923 h a Olca- ln . t i sc ; s - Src t jo r : 3.L.2 Degradcd c3rk ~ a k / a l e p r , p j r e f o r e s t 3.r . I ? C o a s t a l maqiais - Z e c t i o r 3.2.1

Czl t ioa t ed : 145.000 fie

Rare ard Frdemic P l a r t s : v Barbarea v d g a r i s

Cardamire graeca k jaga r q t a c s Cyclamu: a f r i ramm T e c c r l m a t r a t i n A r a M s p b e s c e r s Vlcia digperme Acer mmspessularsm Medicago a r a b i c a 1.. h i s p i d a rnicrodor. TI. f d s p i d a b r a ~ y a c a r r t h a Y ic i a b i t hT ica major 1'. a l t i s s i m a V. s i c & Lathyrns e g e r Cerar.ii;m col;;mbiu;m A l l a r i a of f i c i c a l i s S a l j x p;;rpsrea Ces t a r e a sazzva S p e r g i l a a rve r s f s C e r a s t i m c e e s p t o s m ?;maria bi c d o r T e e s d a l i a c n r o r o p i f ~ l i a S t e l l a x i a hcllostes

r r r r r r r r r f

T rT

r3A r?! A r K A

!I A '7 A TL. n. J r.

'?A !?A ? A '?A

Tt~bias i n c a c e s c e c s P b t e c t i l l a n i c r a c t h a Rosa e a l l i c a Ococis mi t i s s ima 0. a l e p e c a r o i d e s Luzala c a n p e s t r i s S a c i c ~ l a europaea L o t a s d repa roca rpus L. c r e t i c u s cornmutatus T r i f ol ium s t r i a t u m Marrubium a s c h e r s o c i i La thy r u s brachyodus Q u e r c z s a f a r e s Erodium pachy r r h i z ~ r n Ceam srbacum H e d i c a g ~ s a t i v a eu-sa t iva G e c i s t a i l c i c a Sedsn t a b e r o s m Kelj l o t ~ s nacrocerpa Runex a r l s t i d j s Sj 1er.e s c a b r i d a L e ~ i d i , ~ g l e s t i f ~ l i s n X s c ~ t e l l a r a p h c i f o l i a

Jecdouba ( c o n t i n u e d )

Medic ica l P l a c t s : Asphodelis c e r a s i f e r u s A. microcarpus Myrtus commur5s

Gene t i c Resource P l a n t s : Rubus u l m i f o l i u s Arbutus ucedo Olea europaea o l e a s t e r Hedysarum corocarium

Facra : Mammals:

t Barbary d e e r Wild boar

t Hyeca J a c k a l Red fox

r Ca raca l K a f f i r c a t

Bi rds : Grey heror. Ara t idae Sooted e a g l e Colder e a g l e

r Red K i t e Buzzard

c Sparrowhawk Shor t - toed e a g l e Kestrel Coot Barbary p a r t r i d g e Sardgrouse L i t t l e r i cged p l o v e r Commor s a c d p i p e r Woodcock Wood pigeon T u r t l e dove Cuckoo Eagle owl Long-eared owl

I r f l u e n c e s : E y r t ~ s comnucis acd cork Limited t r e e c i i t t i c g

F m a r i a o f f i c i c a l i s Pi s t a c i a l e n t i s c s s Rosmaricus of f i c i r a l i s

Cra t aegus mocogyra C. a z a r o l u s Que rcus i l e x Q. s u b e r

r Otter Egyp t i ac mocgoose A l g e r i a c hedgehog Commo~ g e r e t Rrowr ha r e Cres t ed porczpine F i e l d mouse

Bee e a t e r Hoopoe Gree r woodpecker G r e a t s p o t t e d woodpecker G a l e r i d l a r k s Melodioss warb l e r Blackcap S a r d i c i a c warb l e r

r F i r e c r e s t S p o t t e d f l y c a t c h e r B lackb i rd Robi r! Coal t i t G r e a t t i t Wrer C h a f f l c c h Jay Ravec Bare owl

h a r v e s t i c g

F i r eb reak c r e a t i o c acd main tecacce C u l t i v a t i o c , q r a z i c g , f-;elwood a r d fodde r c o l l e c t i o r F i r e s 3 Reserves : E l P e i d j a , Ain Raccoiich, Dar Fataa (poss ib ly )

v = Very Rare IiA = North A f r i c a Erdemic r = Rare TA = T u c i s i a / A l g e r i a Erdemcc t = Threa teced T = T s r i s i s FrdenSc r = G e s t i r g n i r d s

C . LE KEF

Area: 455,000 ha

Ka j o r ~ c o s ~ s t e m s : High T e l l Med j e rda Val ley

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Impor tac t t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : Ouergha Fo res t : Holm oak/aleppo p i c e , Sec t i o c 3.4.2 Oued Mellegae Reservoi r : 1 ,000 ha , S e c t i o n 3.3.3A

Flo ra : Katt i ral F o r e s t : 86,107 ha

Aleppo p i c e , holm aak ??acted F o r e s t :

Aleppo p i c e , cyp re s s , !:aq;;f s :

@ l e a - l e c t i s c x Degraded a leppo p i c e , J ~ c i p e r

C ~ l t i v a t e d : 270,000 ha

Rere ecd Ecdemic P l a c t s : r k f f o c i a t e c u i f o l i a I. I o c o p s i d i ~ m a?bi f l o r ~ m r S i l e c e coc i ca A S. a t l a c t i c a

Tk S. t a c e t a n a

!!edicical P l a c t s : P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c t i s R o s n a r i c x of f i c i c a l i s

Gece t ic Resource P l a c t s : C e r a t o r i a si l i q u a Olea eEropaea o l e a s t e r Cra taegus a z a r o l c s

Fauna : Nammals :

W i l d boar t Hyeca

J a c k a l Red fox K a f f i r c a t Conmor. gece t Ygyptiac mocgoose

e a c a l y p t a s , a c a c i a

holm oak f o r e s t

rT T r i f o l i u m squarrosum tune taca TA O r e o b l i t o c t h e s i o i d e s TA Rupj capcos numidicss

s s p . sa rcocapcoides

E r i c a s c o p a r i a C l o b c l a r i a a l y p m

Quercus ilex Hedysarum corocarium

A 1 g e r i . a ~ hedgehog Browc h a r e Cres t ed porcupice

NA Shew's j i r d K A ~ e r b i l l u s campes t r i s ( g e r b i l )

J a c a l s s o r i e c t a l i s ( j e r b o a )

Le Kef ( ~ o r t i c s e d )

Birds : t White s t o r k

T e a l Earopear wigeoc Mallard

t Red k i t e Black k i t e Colder e a g l e Rooted e a g l e Buzzard K e s t r e l Q ~ a i l Sa rba rg p a r t r i d g e Coot S t o c e curlew Elt ick-bel l ] ed s a r d g r o ~ s e

I r f l s e r c e s : ;Niir,ox. rosemary h a r v e s t i r g G r a z i c g , cultivatioc Dams

Wood p igeoc Rock dove S tock dove T u r t l e dove S a r d i c i a n wa rb l e r Sho r t - t oed l a r k Robic Black-eared wheatear B lackb i rd S o r g t h r u s h ? I i s t l e t h r z s h Chaf f ] cch J ay Raver.

v = Very Rare 4A = Worth A f r j c a Frdemic = Rare TA = Tuci s j a / ~ l g e r j a Yrdenj c

t = Threster-ed ? = T x j s i a Erdemic

Area: 495,WID ha

Specific Sites 3upoIctar.t tb 3ialogical D i e - - - Djebel Bargozl: Seetion 3.4-3.7 3j- Serd j: sertim 3-43.6 Dj. Zi tour : La Wmes mrvnir

Rare ard Fcdemir Placts: O r o d s M f l o r a

Myrt~s c m u r . i s E r i c a sp.

Gemt2 Resource Plar ts . : Cerator3.a s i l i q u a Arbatus u e d o Olea eumpaea nleaster R- bus ulmif ~ l i z s V i t i s r i r i f e r a

D. SILIANA

&jar Bmqstems: High T e l l T a c i s i a c Dorsa l

BpcifSx Sites I m p o r t a c t t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : D j e b e l Bargo;: S e c t i o r 3.4.3.7 Dj. S e r d j : S e c t i o r 3.4.3.6 Dj . Z i t o a c La Xhmes Rese rvo i r

F l o r a : Xa-l f o r e s t : 1 5 , 7 C O ha

; . le~pr, pir.e, holn oak, :"lkktar c y p r e s s I%o_xis: J s r i ~ e r

Clea- le r . t i sc ; s Czltissirc: :25,003 ns

Rare ax2 Erdenic F l a r t s : r Orwis b i f i ~ r a rNA

7 e l i l o t i i s e l e g a c s r C A T r i f o l i ~ m s t r i a t s m rllA HeSysar-dm hzmile f o r t a c e s j i T Lathy r i s s e t i f o l i i i s T A Ophrys sco lopex rXA R a c ; r c ; l s f a l c a t s s s s p . T A 3 m a r . j a nac rosepa l a Y' A Drzba h l s p a c i c a T Arabis ve rca T A . p a r v z l e T A . h i r s ; t a 3 A Spergz l a p e r t a r d r a rr

Eose ag rees r5s r T

Sorbus a r i a L i r u n corymbiferurn lambesanum C o t o c e a s t e r racemif lora C r e p i s t u c e t a c e S i l e c e t u c e t a r a Acer mocspes s~ lacum Rupicapcos n imid iccs ssp. Reseda du r i aeaca Ccpres sus semper.virecs f . G e r i s t a microcephala t u r e t a n a D i a ~ t h u s g a d i t a n u s Polygocum ba l ansae A s t r a g z l ~ s c r d c i a t z s a r i s t i d i s P l a c t a g o t c c e t a c a

n e d i c i r a l P l a c t s : Rosmarieus o f f i c i n a l i s P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s t+?yr t ss conmaris Cupressus sempervirerxi E r i c a s p . Tamarix sp .

Gece t i c Resoarce P 1 a r . t ~ : C e r a t o r i a s i l i q z a Quercus sube r A r b i i t ~ s acedo Q. i l e x Olea europaea o l e a s t e r Cra t aegus a z a r o l u s Fubss a lmj f o l i 2s Hedysarum cororar izm Vj t i s v i c i f e r a I ? . p a l l i d u n

S i l i a n a ( ~ o n t i c u e d )

Mammals: Wild boar

t Hyeca J a c k a l Red fox K a f f i r c a t Commor g e r e t Egypt ian morgoose Browr ha re

B i r d s : Grea t c r e s t e d grebe

r P e r e g r i r e r K e s t r e l

Co9t Woodcock roo?, pigeoc sock cove

Alge r i an hedgehog Cres t ed porcupice

X A Shew's . t i rd ~ e r b i l l i s campes t r i s ( g e r b i l ) F i e l d mouse J a c u l u s o r i e n t a l i s ( j e r b o a ) Ch i rop idae

Eagle owl Barr owl Shor t -eared owl S a r d i n i a r wa rb l e r R ~ f o u s bushchat Blackbi rd Chef f i r -ch

I c f l u e c c e s : Sone rosemary h a r v e s t i c g C u l t j v a t i o c , g r a z i r g , e r o s i o r Dams T inbe r h a r v e s t j c g - D j . Serd j P l a r t a t i o c s Reserve - Aix Boa Saad ia , 1 2 ha p r o t e c t e d s i c c e 1901

r = 9a1.e Xk = !Jorth Af r i ca Ecdemic t = Threater-ed Th = ~ a c i s i a / A l ~ e r i a Erdemic r. = N e s t i r g Bird

E. BIZERTE

Area: 350 ,000 ha

Major Ecosystems: Mogod Mountains Coast Med j e rda Va l l ey Mateur P l a i n

S p e c i f i c S i t e s I m p a r t a r t t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : I c h k e i l N a t i o c a l Park : S e c t i o c s 3.3.1A, 3.4.1F, 5.4.2 Lake B i z e r t e : S e c t i o c 3.3.1B R e s e r v o i r s : Oueds S e j c a c e , Melah, Joumine, Cheza la , Besbes ia Sacred Wood: S e c t i o n 3.4.1.5 O ~ e d Med j e r d a Es t aa ry : S e c t i o r 3 . l .2B Garae t S e j c a r e : Temporary we t l a rd w i th s e v e r a l r a r e p l a c t s

F lora : Kat. i rel F o r e s t :

Csrk oak, kermes aak , a l e p p o p i c e P l a r t e d F o r e s t : > 18,000 ha

Aleppo p i r e , p i g r o r p i n e , e u c a l y p t u s Xaqsis : O l e a - l e c t i s c u s C u l t i v a t e d Lard: 200,000 ha Falophj l e s

:are a rd Fcdenic P l a r t s : r S a l j x pcrpurea r Lo tus c r e t i c u s commutatus r R a r u r c u l u s p a r v i f l o r u s r Echicodorus r a c u r c s l o i d e s r E . o p h i o g l o s s ~ m r N A Oconis ro sea r Spargarium erec tam TA Sedurn tuberosum r Nynphaea a l b a T Limocium b o i t a r d j i r Potamogetor l u c e c s T S i l e n e b a r r a t t e i r P. r a t a r s T Teucrium schoececbe rge r i

F e d i c l r a l P l a r t s : Cappar5.s s p l 7 r o s a E r i c a sp . P i s t a c i a l e r t i s c u s Tamarix sp . Myrtus cornmucis Euphorbia s p . Asphodelus microcarpus

Gece t l c Resos rce P l a ~ t s : Cerator i ia s i l l qua Que rcus s u b e r Olea earopaea o l e a s t e r Rubus u l m i f o l i u s Arba tus uredo Hedysarum coronarium

B i z e r t e ( ~ o c t i c a e d )

Mammals : B u f f a l o Wild boar

r O t t e r E g y p t i a c mocgoose J a c k a l Red f o x Browc h a r e X l g e r i a c hedgehog Z o r i l l a l y b i c a Crested p o r c s p i c e

N A Shaw's j i r d F i e l d mouse C e r b i l l u s cam e s t r i s ( g e r b i l )

NA J a c r l u s a;-(jerboa) E l i omys q u e r c y r u s Rhino lophus e u r y a l e ( b a t ) R . ferrum-equicum *I - Myot i s rnyoti s *I

K i n o p t e r u s s c h r e j b e r s i i " A r v i c a c t h u s b a r b a ~ x s Hoilse m3JS.e

E i r a s : S F F F i g i r e 7 , B i r d s o f I c h k e ~ l

R e ~ t i l e s zr? A n ~ h i b i a c s ( f r o n UCL 1977) : F a r e r i t i b - c d e L a c e r t a o c e l l a t a F!. e s c d e c t a 3 i s c o g l o s s ~ s p i c t u s a ; f ~ ~ A O

!?. viric?:s 3. macr i t a r - i c ; s Ey le a r b o r e a P l e ~ r o d e l e s p o i r e t i Yes tcdo g r a e c a Clenmys l e p r o s a Emys b r o i c ~ l a r i s

Psammodromas a l g i r u s C h a l c i d f s c h a l c i d e s C . o c e l l e t u s T a r e r t o l a r n a u r i t a r i c a Chamaeleor. chamaeleoc N a t r i x maara ( s c a k e ) Malpoloc rnocspessulacus " C o r o c e l l a g i r o c d i c a I,

V i p e r a l e b e t i c a

I c f l s e c c e s :

F j r e b r e a k c r e a t i o r and m a i c t e c a c c e 1 % : ~ rt.;s h e r v e s t i x g F i s h t r a p s or. Lake I c h k e u l and Lake R i z e r t e C u l t i v a t i o c , g r a z i n g and e r o s i o c Dams or. t h e r i v e r s f l o w i c g i r t o Lake I c h k e a l P o r t a c t i v i t y Deve1opmer.t

I' = F E N !:A = T!orth A f r i c a Z ~ d e n j c t = t n r e a t e c e d Tk = T u c i s i a / ~ l g e r i a Ecdenj c

' ? = ?;r.isia Ecdenic

F. NABEUL

Area: 290,000 ha

Major Ecosystems: T u c i s i a c Dor sa l C o a s t a l

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Impor t ac t t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : Djebe l S i d i Abder Rahnace: S e c t i o c 3.4.3.13 Djebe l Korbous Zembra I s l a c d : S e c t i o n 3.2.2 Korba Lagoocs, Sebkhets E l Houaria acd Fardjouca Solimac Marshes: S e c t i o c 3.1.2B Oaed e l Abid Rese rvo i r s : Lebna, Somaa

F lo ra : Nat- ra l F o r e s t : Kermes oak, holm oak, cork oak Plan ted F o r e s t : Euca lyptus , a c a c i a , a l e p p o p i c e , p igcnc p i c e Yaquis: O l e a - l e c t i s c u s , retama C z l t i v z t e d P l a i c : 215.000 ha

Rare a r d E c d e r n i c P l a r t s :

Sacguisorba s p i c o s a T A Aveca locg ig lumis T A Kel io t ; l s e l e g a c s T iY. macrocarpa T S i l e c f c e g l e c t a r N A S. s e d o i d e s N A Lavatera p a c c t a t a r N A Sisymbrium polyceratum r Sag ica a p e t a l a c i l i a t a X A Cocvovulvus cceorum T E r a g r o s t i s t r i c h o p h o r a v E c h i c o d o r i s r a c u c c u l o i d e s T Exaculam pus i l l um rT J a s i o r e humil i s v I r i s xiphium v N A Koe le r i a s p l e n d e c s N A Lolium temulectum r N A A i r o p s i s t e c e l l a T A A v e l l i c i a m i c h e l l i T A s t e r t r i p o l i u m v Carex f l a c c a eu-glauca r Cyclamec af r icacum r Chaetocychia cymosa r Meriophy l lum s p i c a tum r S a l p i chroa rhomboidea r Secec io l i v i d u s r S. f o l i o s i l s r V ic i a s i c a l a r V . d isperma r E ~ p h o r b i a squamigera

Reseda d u r i a e a c a Sedum tuberosum Scab iosa f a r i c o s a C r e p i s t a c e t a c a Juccus subnodulosus Erodium hymecoides E. mucbyacum E. maritirnum B r a s s i c a c r e t i c a a t l a c t i ca L i c a r i a c o s s o c i L. P e l l e c e r i a n a Scab iosa f a r i c o s a D iac thus r u p i c o l a hermaecs is C e c t a ~ r e a e r iophora C. c i n e r a r e a gymrocarpa subv. Geci s t a a s p a l a t h o i d e s Bun5um c r a s s i f o l i u m Lepidium g l a s t i f o l i u m S i l e n e b a r r a t t e i S. mol l i s ima C y s t o p t e r i s f i l i x - f r a g i l i s s s p Cectunculus br ic imus E l a t i c e hydropiper peduccula ta Heli acthemum s a l i c i f o l i u m s sp . P l a c t a g o cororopus s s p . Swcowia b a l e a r i c a Racuncalus p a r v i f l o r u s La thy ra s a c c z a s Cerac iun c l m b i c a

Nabeul ( con t i cued l

Kedi c i c a l P l a r t s : Myrtus commucis Rosmaricus of f i c i c a l i s P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c u s

Gecet ic Resource P l a n t s : C e r a t o r i a s i l i q u a Olea ezropaea o l e a s t e r

Orchids: Ophrys a p i f e r a 0. bombyl j f lora T!eotf r i a i c r a c t a Acacamptis pu ramide l i s H: nar toglossum hi rcicum

F z x a : Kamz:lals:

b ' i l d boar (xcomnoc) J a c k a l Red fox K a f f l r c a t Egyp t i a r norgoose

. E ~ r o p e a c r a b b i t s sp .

C a l l i t r i s a r t i c u l a t a Euphorbj a sp. E r i c a m u l t i f l o r a

Quercus sp. V i t i s v i n i f e r a Orch i s p a l u s t r i s 0 . p a t e r s 0. chor iophora 0 . p a p i l i o c a c e a S e r a p i a s p a r v i f l o r a S. l i r g u a ssp . e2 - l i cgaa

Black r a t N A Shew's j i r d N A G e r b i l l u s cam e s t r i s ( g e r b i l )

J a c u l u s or-(jerboa) F i e l d mouse E l i o n g s quercyrus

S i r d s : See Fig;re 1 1

Sparrouhewk t r a p p i c g : Use2 f o r h u r t i n g , ther. re leased H x t l r g acd poachicg P o l l u t i o r : Sewage d i s c h a r g e , dumpice Dams T o ~ r i s t i c developmeet C r a z i r g , c i l t i v a t i a c , erosioc

v = Very Rare N A = Gorth Af r i ca Ecdemic I' = Rare ? A = Tcci s j a / ~ l g e r i a Ecdemj c

T = T ~ c i s i a Erdemic

F i g u r e 11 Bj r d s o f t h e Nabeul C o u v e r c o r a t

( f rom S c a c e 1977, ICRP 1987)

Gancet Grey heror. L i t t l e e g r e t

t White s t o r k Black s t o r k C r a c e G r e a t e r f l a m i c g o S p o o r b i l l Glossy i b i s Shelduck K a l l a r d Osprey Black k j t e

t Red k i t e S h o r t - t o e d e a g l e Narsh h a r r i e r Her h a r r i e r P a l l i d h a r r i e r M o x t a g ~ ' ~ h a r r i e r Sparro-,:hawk Levac t sparrowhawk Biizzard Locg-legged buzzard Horey b x z a r d L e s s e r s p o t t e d e a g l e Booted e a g l e B o c e l l i ' s e a g l e E g y p t i a r v ~ l t u r e Red-footed f a l c o c P le r l i c Hobby E l e o c o r a ' s f a l c o c S a k e r f a l c o c L a c c e r f a l c o c

t P e r e g r i c e

Kestrel L e s s e r k e s t r e l B a r b a r y p a r t r i d g e Q u a i l Coot Moorhec Black V i r g e d - s t i l t O y s t e r c a t c h e r Avocet Ricged p l o v e r L i t t l e r i r e e d p l o v e r K e c t i s h p l o v e r L i t t l e s t ic t Temmirck 's s t i c t Redshark S p o t t e d r e d s h a c k G r e e r s h a c k Curlew s a c d p i p e r Commoc s a c d p j p e r B l a c k - t a i l e d godwl t S l e n d e r - b i l l e d g u l l M e d i t e r r a c e a c g z l l L i t t l e g u l l H e r r i c g g u l l B lack terc L i t t l e te rc C a s p i a c t e r c Palm dove R o l l e r Bee e a t e r Cuckoo Hoopoe Wrer L e s s e r s h o r t - t o e d l a r k

G a l e r i d l a r k s F a c - t a i l e d w a r b l e r B l a c k c a p Uhj t e t h r o a t B o c e l l i ' s w a r b l e r C h i f f c h a f f G o l d c r e s t S p o t t e d f l y c a t c h e r Red-backed s h r i k e Yel low w a g t a i l Grey w a g t a i l T r e e p i p i t \r!ater p i p i t Swallcw House n a r t i c B lack r e d s t a r t R e d s t a r t S t o r e c h a t K o u s s i e r ' s r e d s t a r t R l a c k b i rd N i g h t i r - g a l e Rufous b a s h c h a t Robic G o l d f i c c h C h a f f j r c h S e r i r O r i o l e Durrock S p a c i s h spar row Ravec G r e a t g r e y s h r i k e Woodchat s h r i k e

t = T h r e a t e n e d s p e c i e s

G . TUNIS

Area: 125,000 ha

Major Ecosystems: Coast : Gulf of Tunis Mar i re Lake Wed j e rda Val ley

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Impor tac t t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : Lake T x i s : S e c t i o n 3.3.1.3 Sebkhet Ar iaca : S e c t i o c 3.3.2.1 Sebkhet Sedjoumi: 3.3.2.2 Oued Meleg Pords Eou Korni re N a t i o r a l Park: S e c t i o c 3.4.3.12 ard 5 . 4 . 5 Djebel Ressas : S e c t i o c 3.4.3.11

Flo ra : K a t ~ r a l F o r e s t : T h ~ y a , holm oak Plac ted F o r e s t : Aleppo p i c e , e u c a l y p t s , a c a c i a , F!aktar cyp re s s M a q ~ i s : Kermes oak, O l e a - l e r t i s c u s C ~ l t i v a t e d Lacd: 65,000 ha l i a loph i l e s

Rare acd Erdemic P l a c t s : v Cyclanec p e r s i c m N A G e c i s t a a s p a l a t h o i d e s r Ophrys sco lopax X A Chamaerops humi l i s r Amaracthus g r a c i l i s IJA S r a s s i c a c r e t i c a a t l a r t i c a r Ococis b i f l o r a TA S p e r g a l a r i a marg i r a t a s s p . r 0. perdula TA Sklene tune t aaa r Rac~ccal- .m s c l e r a t u s TA K e l i l o t i l s macroczrpa r Vic i a h j r s u t a r Ocobrychis c a p a t - g a l l i r V. b i t h y c j c a v. g e r u i c a

M ~ d i c i c a l P l a c t s : R o s m a r i c u s o f f i c i c a l i s E r i c a sp.

Fy r t i s commuci s P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c u s G lobu la r i a a lypun Cappar i s s p i c o s a

Euphorbia sp . Tamarix sp. Opact ia f i c u s - i c d i c a Lavardula m u l t i f i d a

Genetic Resocrce P l a c t s : Olea europaea o l e e s t e r Cra t eegus a z a r o l a s C e r a t o r i a s i l i q u a Quercus i l e x Arbutus ucedo

T u c i s ( ~ o r t i n u e d )

Xammals (foucd a t BOG or cine) : Wild Boar N A Jacka l Red fox Egyptian mocgoose Common g e c e t Saharac s t r i p e d weasel K a f f i r c a t Brwn h a r e Crested p o r c ~ p i c e A lge r i a r hedgehog S t r i p e d r a t D l i o m s quercycus -

N A

?!amr.als Z x t i r p a t e ? f ron t h e Reeioc: C ~ v i e r ' s g a z e l l e Aozdad Hy er.a

3irds: See 7 i g z r e 12

B e p t i l e s a rd Amphibiacs: T e s t ~ d o g raeca ( t o r t o i s e ) B ~ f o m a u r i t a c i c s s ( t o a d ) F. v i r i d i s I!

Raca r i d i b x d a Discoglossus p i c t u s Yy l a mer id io r . a l i s P l e c r a d e l i s poj r e t t i Tarare to la maur i ta r - ica S t e c o d a c t y l ~ s p e t r i e i Lacer ta o c e l l a t a

Sco rp io r s : B ~ t h u s o c c i t a r u s

Shaw's j i r d Suncus e t r u s c u s (shrew) Croc idura ru s su l a " Rhinolophus e i l rya le ( b a t ) R. ferrum-equinum - R . h ippos ide ros micimus " K o t i s b l y t h i oxygcathus " P i p i s t r e l l u s ~ i p i s t r e l l u s " E p t e s i c d s s e r o t i c u s 11

Mini o p t e r u s s c h r e i b e r s i " F i e l d mouse J a c u l u s o r i e c t a l i s ( j e r b o a ) G e r b i l l ~ s c a i n ~ e s t r i s ( g e r b i l )

S e r v a l Ca raca l

Psammod romis a l g i r ~ s Cha lc ides o c e l l a t ~ s C. l i c e a t ~ s Chamaeleoc chamaeleoc N a t r i x maura ( snake ) Coluber h ippoc rep i s 11

Fa lpo loc m o ~ s p e s s ~ l a c u s Macropotodoc c u c s l l a t ~ s 1*

Vipera l e b e t i c a n a ~ r i t a c i c a "

S c o r p i o maurus

Developmeet: F i l l i ~ g Lake T u r i s , tour i sm developmect Po l l a t i o r . : Sewage a r d chemi.ca1 d i s c h a r g e , dunpirg Shippicg Caca ls ir Lake Tuc i s F i sh Traps i r Lake Tnc i s B3; Korc i r e N a t i o c a l Park

v = Very Rare N A 6 h'orth Af r i ca Crdemic 1. = Pare TA = T x i s i a / ~ l g e r i a Er.denj c

Figu re 12 B i rds o f t h e Tunis Goavernorat

L i t t l e grebe Great c r e s t e d g rebe Black-cecked grebe

c Cormorant Grey heroc C a t t l e e g r e t L i t t l e e g r e t Spoocbi 11 Grea t e r f lamingo

tr White s t o r k C r a ~ e Greglag goose

c Kallard t )!arbled t e s l

Teal P i c t a i l Shoveler Pochard Tafted duck

t Vhite-headed dzck Osprey Black k i t e

c Short- toed e a g l e Sparrowhawk Bczzerd Locg-legged bazzard B o c e l l i ' s e a g l e Booted e a g l e Goiter e a g l e Egypt ia r v u l t a r e Karsh h a r r i e r Peregr ine Hobby

a Kes t r e l Barbary p a r t r i d g e Q u a i l Rock dove Ti i r t le dove

Coot Lapwicg Avocet Black-winged s t i l t Grey p love r Ricged p l o v e r Ken t i sh p love r L i t t l e s t i n t Redshank Greecshark Curlew s a c d p i p e r Commori s a r d p i p e r Wmd s a c d p i p e r Marsh s a r d p i p e r Duc l i c Raf f B lack - t a i l ed godwit S c i p e S tone curlew S l e c d e r - b i l l e d g u l l Black-headed g a l l F led i te r racean g u l l

c He r r ing g a l l G u l l - b i l l e d t e r c N A L i t t l e t e r n Sacdwich t e r c Swallow Crag m a r t i c Meadow p i p i t Water p i p i t Grey w a g t a i l Yellow w a g t a i l White w a g t a i l Grea t grey s h r i k e Woodchat s h r i k e S t a r l i n g Span i sh sparrow Ravec

Ban: owl Eagle owl Shor t -eared owl L i t t l e owl N i g h t j a r S w i f t Alpine s w i f t Bee e a t e r R o l l e r K i c g f i s h e r Hoopoe Shor t - toed l a r k Skylark Crested l a r k Fac-tai l e d warb l e r warb ler Blackcap S a r d i c i a c warb l e r Ch i f f cha f f Spot ted f l y c a t c h e r Blue rock t h r u s h Wheatears R e d s t a r t Mouss ie r ' s r e d s t a r t Robin B lue th roa t Luscina megarhynchos Ce rco t r i chas g a l a c Blackbird Socg t h r a s h Coal t i t O r t o l a c Reed bun t ing Chaff icch Goldf inch Greenf iach L ince t S e r i c

t = Threatened I i A = North Af r i ca Yademic r = Nest icg Bird

H. ZAGHOUAN

Area: 375,000 ha

Ha j o r Ecosystems: T u n i s i a n Dorsa l Mwantaics Sebkhets Ned j e r d a Val ley

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Impor tan t t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : Djebe l Zaghouan: S e c t i o n 3.4.3.9 D j . Macsoar: S e c t i o c 3.4.3.6 D j . BOG S a f r a : S e c t i o n 3.4.3.10 B i r Fiecherga R e s e r v o i r Sebkhet Kourzia: 3.3.2.3

F lo ra : IJatdral Fo re s t : 32,000 ha

Aleppo p i c e , thuya Plar-ted Fo res t : 14 ,580 ha

Aleppo p i ce : 14 ,000 ha Eucalyptus , a c a c i a . l-iaktar cyp re s s : 58C ha

Kaquis: 23,685 ha O l e a - l e c t i s c u s , j u c i p e r , degraded a l eppo pSce f o r e s t

C ~ l t i v a t e d : 245,000 ha

Rare acd Erdemic P l a r t s : v S a x i f r a g a dichotoma FA G e c i s t a a s p a l a t h o i d e s r Acer monspess~ lacum IIA G . t r i c u s p i d a t a r Rosa s t y l o s a TA Lepidium g l a s t i f o l i u m T Arabis h i r s u t a TA Reseda du r i aeaca T L i n a r i a s c a r i o s a T S i c a p s i s pubescecs brachyloba '7 L. r e f l e x a V . doumeti r Phagcaloc cycodoc

Medicinal P l a c t s : Rosmaricss o f f i c i c a l i s Euphorbia sp . G l o b a l a r i a alypum E r i c a sp. P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c u s A s p h o d e l ~ s microcarpus C a l l i t r i s a r t i c u l a t a

C e c e t i c R e s o ~ r c e P l a n t s : Ce ra toc i a s i l i q u a Olea europaea o l e a s t e r

Fauca : Mammals:

Wild boar t Hyeca (:cconxnoc)

J a c k a l Red fox Browc h a r e

Hedysarurn c o r o c a r i m Jasmicum f r u t i c a c s

Egypt ian mocgoose Commoc g e r e t A lge r i ax hedgehog Cres ted p o r c s p j c ~ S>ccas e t r ~ s c a s (shrew)

Zeghouen ( c o n t i n u e d )

B i rd s : Black-necked g r ebe G r e a t e r f l amingo h l l a rd Pochard Mer l in K e s t r e l

t n P e r e g r i n e Golden e a g l e Egypt ian v u l t u r e G r i f f o n v u l t u r e Eerbary p a r t r i d g e Q u a i l Coot Lapwir-g L i t t l e r i ~ e e d p l o v e r Kent i sh p l o v e r L i t t l e s t i n t Greershank B l a c k - t a i l e d godwit

Common t e r n Woodcock Sn ipe Wood p igeon Rock dove T u r t l e dove Barn. owl Eagle owl G a l e r i d l a r k s S a r d i r i a n wa rb l e r R e d s t a r t h 'heatear Blackbi rd Cha f f i nch S e r i r Goldfi r -ch S t a r l i r g Raver

I n f l u e n c e s : F o r e s t f i r e s , f i r e b r e a k s Hsnt ing C u l t i v a t i o n , g r a z i r g , e r o s i o r S o i l C o r s e r v a t i o r t e r r a c i r g P e m a n e r t r e s e r v e s : D jebe l Zagho-3ar ( 4 , 775 ha ) ;

D j . Bou Sa f r a - c. 500 ha

v a Very Ra re N A = North A f r i c a Fkdemic r = Rare TA = T i x i s i a / A l g e r i e Endenic t = Threa t e r ed T = T ~ r i s i a Erdernic n = ?!es t i rg Bird

I. K A I R O U A N

Area: 665,000 ha

Major Ecosystems: T u c i s i a c Dorsa l Hountains Low Steppe

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Importact t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : Djebel Ousse l a t : S e c t i o c 3.4.3.5 A i r Chr i ch i r a Sebkhet S i d i e l Haci: S e c t i o n 3.3.2.5 Lake Metbasta: S e c t i o c 3.3.2.8 Reservoi rs : Nebhaca, S i d i Saad

Flora : Natura l Fo res t : Aleppo p i ce P l a r t e d Fores t : Aleppo p i c e , e u c a l y p t u s , a c a c i a , cypress Kaql;is: 40,000 ha

Rosemary, Degraded a l eppo p i c e f o r e s t Esparto Grass Steppe: 20,000 ha Cx l t iva t ed : 460,000 ha

Rare acd 5cdemic P l a c t s : r RacxrciAzs s c l e r a tas NA Polygocum ba lacsae 1. Atr ip l ex t a t a r j ca T Diac thus gad5 t anus r G l i c s s l o t o i d e s T Fe ru la t une taca r. Poter . t i . l l a s s p i e a T As t r aga lus c r u c i a t u s a r j . s t t d i s r Rose a g r e s t i s

F e d i c i c a l P l a r t s : Capparis spir.osa G l o b a l a r i a alypum ~ o & a r i r u s - of f j c i c a l i s Tamarix sp. P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s

Gecet ic Resoi rce P l a r t s : Cera toc ia s j l i q u a Olea esropaea o l e a s t e r

Fauca : Eamme 1s :

Wild boar Hyeca J a c k a l Red fox Browr. hare

Cra taegus sp.

Egyptian mongoose Common genet Alger ian hedgehog Cres ted porcupice

Kairouac ( ~ o n t i c u e d )

Birds: - L i t t l e grebe c Great c r e s t e d grebe Black-cecked grebe tr, Grey heron

n L i t t l e e g r e t Grea t e r f lamicgo Mallard P i c t a i l Avocet Black w i c g e d - s t i l t Kectish p love r Cream colored c o J r s e r

n Col la red p r a t i c c o l e S to re curlew White-wicged b lack t e r c L i t t l e t e r c Black-bel l ied sacderouse Harsh h a r r i e r B o r e l l i ' s e a g l e r. Booted eag le

t c P ~ r e g r i c e r. K e s t r e l c Egyptiac v ~ l t u r e

Barbary p a r t r i d g e Crane Houbara b ~ s t a r d Coot Rock dove Palm dove L i t t l e owl Bare owl Hoopoe Lesse r shor t - toed l a r k Short- toed l a r k Ga le r id l a r k s Sky l a r k Grea t grey s h r i k e Black wheatear Blue rock thrush Rufous bashchzt Fulvous babbler Rock sparrow Spanish sparrow S t a r l i r g Raver.

I n f l s e c c e s : Karble q.aar~-y: D jebe l Ousse l a t Hucticg and poachicg Cu l t iva t i o c , g r a z i c g , e r o s i o c S o i l Cocss rva t ioc t e r r a c i c g Dams OK r i v e r s f lowing i n t o Sebkhet Kelbia

r = Rare N A = North Af r i ca Ecdemic t = Threateced T = T a c i s i a Ecdemic c = Mesticg Birds

J . KASSERINE

Area: 800,000 ha

Major Ecosystems: T u n i s i a c Dor sa l Ma in t a in s High Steppe

S p e c i f i c S i t e s I m p r t a c t t o B i o l o g i c a l D t v e r s i t y : D jebe l s Chambi, B i r eco , K r h i l l a , S e l l o m : Secs. 3.4.3.1-4 Kechem e l Kelb Reserve: S e c t i o c 5.4.11

F lo ra : R a t u r a l Fo re s t : 151,000 ha

A l e p p ~ p i n e , holm oak F l ac t ed F o r e s t : C . 1 ,600 ha

Aleppo p i c e , e d c a l y p t u s , a c a c i a !;aq;is: 110,000 ha ( o f t e c wi th a l eppo p i c e )

Rosemary, j ~ n i p e r % p e r t o C r a s s l a r d : 173,000 ha C z l t i v a t e d : 105 ,000 ha

Rare acd Ecdemic P l a c t s : v Delphi c i m b a l a ~ s a e r N A Co toceas t e r r acemi f lo ra r. Vi c i a v i l l o s a dasy carpa r?!A S t i p a f o ~ t a ~ e s i i r T r i g o r e l l a g l a d j a t a r N A Campacula a t l a c t i c a r Leoc t i ce l e m t ~ p e t a l t i m r H A Sorbus a r i a r Bdf f o c i a t e c u i f o l i a ?!A Po lygo~um ba l acsae r Arecar j a emargica ta T S i l e c e b a r r a t t e j

rTk E r a s s i c a dimorpha T A s t r a g a l i s c r u c i a t a s a r i s t i d i s TA Reseda a l p h o c s i i T Onocis n a t r i x f i l i f o l i a TA R. du r i aeaca T Genis ta microcephala t une t ana '7.4 I b e r i s o d o r a t a b a l a c s a e rT S t i p a l agascae l e t o u r c e u x i j TA Rtipicapcos cumidicus s sp . T Diac thus g a d i t a c u s

I 4 ~ d i c i c a l P l a r t s : C l o b u l a r t a alypum P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c u s Ar temis ia c a m p e s t r i s Retama raetam Rosmarinus o f f i c i n a l i s

Gece t i c Resozrce P l a c t s i Olea earopaea o l e a s t e r Quercus j l e x Arbctus ucedo Cra t aegas a z a r o l u s

Kasser ine ( ~ o c t i c u e d )

F a x a : k!ammals:

W i l d boar Aoudad ( r e i n t r o d u c e d )

t Cuvier ' s g a z e l l e t Hyeca

Jacka l Red fox K a f f i r c a t Commor. g e c e t Algeri a r hedgehog White hedgehog Erowc hare Crested porczpice

1.4 C i ; r . d i

Saharan s t r i p e d weasel Eliamys quercycus Noruay r a t Black r a t House mouse

N A Shaw's j i r d

R. eu rya l e barbarus n - R. Hipposideros mirimss "

F o t i s b l y t h i s oxygcathus " P i p i s t r e l l u s k u h l i (1

R ~ z t = l e s t i ~ d A n ~ h i b i a c s : Discoglossas p i c tss 3;fo v i r i d i s ( t o a d ) E. r n a ~ r i t a n i c u s " Ysna r i d l b u r d a ( f rag) Testcdo graeca I<a;r.ecys casp ica S t e c o d a c t y k s p e t r i c i Tarexto la m a u r i t a c j ca

Agama m u t a b i l i s Psammodromus a l g i r u s ( l i z a r d ) Acacthodactylus sp. *I

Lace r t a sp. n

Vipera l e b e t i c a ( scake ) Cerasted co rca tds " Psammophis s i b l a c s Chamaeleon chamaeleoc

Fores t f i r e s and f i r e b r e a k s Fdeluood c u t t i c g ; some t imber exp lo i t a t io r ! C u l t i v e t i o r , o v e r g r a z i r g , e ros ior . Espar to g r a s s a rd rosemary h a r v e s t i r g DLXE format iox: micor problem S o i l c o c s e r v a t i c e : t e r r a c i c g (30,000 h a ) , runoff c o c t r o l A g r i c u l t u r a l developrnect Craz icg land improvemect Reserves: Chambk N.P. ( s e c t i o n 5.4.3)

Kechem e l Kelb Reserve ( s ~ c . 5.4.11)

v = Very Eare t!A = North Af r i ca Endemic r = Rare Tb = ~ s c i s i a / ~ l ~ e r i a Ecdemic t = T h r e a t ~ r e d

Figu re 13 B i r d s of t h e ' ~ a s s e r i c e Couvernorat

(from D i r . For . 1981)

t Red k i t e n Sho r t - t oed l a r k L Black k i t e c L e s s e r s h t - t d l a r k n Short- toed e a g l e n Calandra l a r k

Sparrowhawk n Woodlark n Locg-legged buzzard n Sky la rk n B o c e l l i ' s e a g l e n Cre s t ed l a r k c Booted e a g l e c Thekla l a r k c Goldec e a g l e c Swallow c Egyp t i a r v u l t u r e n Crag rna r t j r m G r i f f o c v ~ l t u r e Sard n a r t j r . m Marsh h a r r i e r House m a r t i r rn !!ortagd1 s h a r r i e r T ree p i p i t

Laecer f a l c o c Meadow p i p i t t r P e r e g r i c e c Tawry p j p i t

Barbary f a l c o x Grey w a g t a i l Hobby White w a g t a i l

c K e s t r e l Yellow w a g t a i l c Barbary p a r t r i d g e c G r e a t g r e y s h r i k e n Q u a i l c Woodchat s h r i k e

Pic- t a i l e d s acdg ros se Reed w a r b l e r B lack -be l l i ed s acdg rouse G r e a t reed warb l e r

c Rock dove Helodious wa rb l e r c Stock dove c Ol ivaceous wa rb l e r c T u r t l e dove n W h i t e t h r o a t c Bare owl Cardec wa rb l e r c Eagle owl Blackcap

Locg-eared owl n Orpheac w a r b l e r rn Scops owl c S a r d i c i a r wa rb l e r c L i t t l e owl S p e c t a c l e d wa rb l e r

Eiiropeac r.ight j a r Willow w a r b l e r t Red-cecked e i g h t j a r C h i f f c h a f f

S w i f t Wood w a r b l e r P a l l i d s w i f t B o n e l l i ' s wa rb l e r Alpice s w i f t S p o t t e d f l y c a t c h e r

r. Bee-ea te r P i ed f l y c a t c h e r R o l l e r Whirchat

c Hoopoe c Blue rock t h r d s h

Rock t h r a s h Wheatear

c Deser t v h e a t e a r n Black-eared wheatear c Kourcicg whea tear c Red-rumped wheatear c Black whea t e a r

Black r e d s t a r t R e d s t a r t

r Mo:ssieres r e d s t a r t r: Robir.

R l u e t h r o a t Ri g h t i r g a l e R ~ f o z s hzshcha t Blackbi rd R i rg o ~ z e l Sorg t h r u s h K i s t l e t h r z s h

r Blue t it c C ~ r r b z r t i r g c C i r l b u c t i r g

O r t o l a r c Chaf f icch c G r e e r f j r c h

Trdmpeter f i r c h L i c r ~ t

c S e r i r Crossbj 11

c Spa r j sh sparrow c House sparrow

Rock sparrow S t a r l i c g S p o t l e s s s t a r l i c g Goldec o r i o l e Raver

c = l i e s t i c e B i r d s t = Threa tened S p e c i e s

K . SIDI BOU Z I D

Area: 705,000 ha

Hajor Ecosystems: Low Steppe High Steppe r.fouctains Sebkhets

S p e c i f i c S i . t e s Important t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : Bou Hedma N. P.: S e c t i o n s 3.4.4.2, 3.3.5.3, a ~ d 5.4.4 Sebkhets S i d i Macsour acd e r Noual: S e c t i o c 3.3.2.7 Sebkhet Mechguig: S e c t i o n 3.3.2.8

Flora : N a t ~ r a l Fo res t : Aleppo p i c e , holm oak P lac t ed Fores t : Aleppo p i c e , e a c a l y p t n s , acac i a Waq2is: J z c i p e r Espar to Grass lacd: 124,000 ha C c l t i v a t e d : 345,000 ha

Rare and Ecdenic P l a c t s : r Saccharzm ravenrae T Dianthus gad i t acus r Arecar ia emarginata T K a r r ~ b i u m a s c h e r s o c i i r Lotus coc imbr i cecs i s TA R u p i c a p ~ o s cun id i cus r B i s c u t e l l a didymti ssp . apdla

Medic ica l P l a n t s : P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c z s Tamaria g a l l i c a Rosmaricus o f f i c i c a l i s Asphodelus sp. Globular ia alyyim Artemisia sp .

C e r e t i c Resource P l a c t s : Olfa europaea o l e a s t e r Acacia r add ia ra

F a x a : Mammals:

t t t

Dorcas g a z e l l e IZ A Slender-horced g a z e l l e N A Aoudad Addax ( r e in t roduced) Sc imi tar -homed oryx " Jacka l Seed fox Red fox K a f f i r c a t Sacd c a t Commor g e r e t Saharan s t r i p e d weasel r Rrowc hare Crested p o r c ~ p i r e

G ~ r d i Shaw's j i r d Dese r t j i r d G e r b i l s ( 6 s p e c i e s ) Sand r a t Black r a t Palm r a t Hozse mouse Lesse r Egyptiac jerboa Jerboa Bats: ( 5 spec i e s ) Deser t hedgehog R lepha r t shrev

S i d i Bou Zid ( con t inued )

Birds: See F igu re 14 - R e p t i l e s and Amphibiacs (from Blanc acd S c a r e 1987):

Race r i d i b u c d a C e r a s t e s v i p e r a ( snake) Bufo v i r i d i s ( t o a d ) B. m a u r i t a c i c u s " Discoglossus p i c t u s Testudo g. g r aeca T a r e c t o l a m a u r i t a n i c a T rop ioco lo t e s t r i p o l j t a n u s S t e c o d a c t y l u s s t e ~ o d a c t y l u s Agama m u t a b i l l s Uromastix a c a c t h i c u r i s Chamaeleoc chamafleoc Psammodromus a l g i r i s c o l l i Rremias o l i v e r i Acac thodac ty lus bask i acus Ophisops o c c i d e c t a l i s

C. c e r a s t e s 11

E c h i s c a r i n a t u s "

Malpoloc m o i l e c s i s **

Spha le rosoph i s diaderna " Naja h. h a j e .I

Psammophis sp. 11

Coluber h ippoc rep i s *I

Varacns g r i s e z s S c i c c n s s c i c c u s ( s k i c k ) Cha lc ides o. o c e l l a t u s " Eumeces e l g e r i e c s i s 11

E. s c h c e i d e r i Sc iccopus f a s c i a t u s I*

Sphecops boa l ecge r i

I n f l u e c c e s : Huct icg and Poaching Espa r to g r a s s h a r v e s t i c g : 1 0 - 1 % of c a t i o c a l t o t a l C a l t i v a t i 9 c , o v e r g r a z i n g , e r o s i o c P a s t n r e fmprovemect: 20,000 ha p l a c t e d t o c a c t u s , a c a c i a

a t r i p l e x , e t c . Boz Hedma N.P.

r = Rare N A = Horth A f r i c a Ecdemic t = Threa teced TA = ~ u c i s i a / ~ l g e r i a Bcdemic

T = T u c i s j a Ecdemj c

F i g ~ r e 14 B i rds of t h e S i d i Pou Zid Gouvernorat

(from D l r . For. 1980)

Black k i t e Short- toed eag le Sparrowhawk Buzzard Larg-legged bazzard Hocey bazzard Boated eagle B o c e l l i ' s eag le Colder eag le Egyptiac v x l t z r e Gr i f foc v , l t s r e Yarsh h e r r i e r l.!or.tag;'s h a r r i e r P e l l i d har r ;e r L a m e r f a l c o r

t P e r ~ g r 5 r . e Y E S t r e 1 Barbary p a r t r i d g e Q22i?

t Ha,bara bzs t a rd 2 o t t e r ~ l Stoce c ~ r l ~ w Cream c o l ~ r e d cour se r Spotted sandgrosse P i - - t a i l ed s a c d g r o ~ s e S leck -be l l i ed sacdgrosse R O C K d5ve T z r t l e dove Paln dove Grea t -spot ted csckoo C;;ckoo S a r r m l Eagle owl Lor-g-eared owl sccps owl L i t t l e owl Kight j a r

t Red-recked c i g h t j a r Egyptiar. r i g h t j a r Sui f t L i t t l e s w i f t P a l l i d s w j f t Alpice s w i f t E k e - ~ a t e r 3 s l l e r

Hoopoe klryceck Temminck's horned l a r k Hoopoe l a r k Short- toed l a r k Lesse r sho r t - toed l a r k Dese r t l a r k Rar - t a i l ed d e s e r t l a r k Dupoct ' s l a r k C a l a ~ d r a l a r k Thi ck -b i l l ed l a r k Skylark Cres ted l a r k Swallow Crag m a r t i r Sand m a r t i c House m a r t i c Tree p i p i t Meadow p i p i t Red- t h m a t e d pi p i t ?awry pi p i t White wagtai l Grey wagtai 1 Yellow w a g t a i l Grea t grey s h r i k e Wo~dchat s h r i k e Reed warb le r Grea t reed warb le r Aquatic warb le r Sedge warb le r Far- t a i l e d warb le r S c r ~ b warb le r I c t e r i c e warb le r Melodious warb le r Ol ivaceoas warb le r Whi te throa t Garden warb le r Blackcap Orpheac w a r b l ~ r S a r d i c i a c warb le r Subalp ice w a r b l e r Deser t warb le r Spectac led warh le r l'armora' s warb le r F i l l o w wa~nbler

Ch i f f cha f f Wood warbler Boce l l j ' s warb le r Spotted f l y c a t c h e r Pied f l y c a t c h e r Col la red f l y c a t c h e r S t o r e c h a t Whicchat Blae rock t h r u s h Rock t h r u s h Wheatear Deser t wheatear I s a b e l l i c e w h ~ a t e a r Blackeared wheatear K o ~ r c i ~ g vhea tea r Red-rsmped wheatear Black wheatear Black r e d s t a r t R e d s t a r t MoassSer' s r e d s t a r t Robic Night icga le Blue th roa t Rufous bashchat Blackbird Sorg t h r a s h F ~ l v a u s babb le r Blue t i t Wrer Corc buc t i cg House b m t i c g Ortolar . Cha f f i r ch Goldfinch Greenfinch L i n e t Trumpeter f i n c h S e r i r Spanish sparrow Rock sparrow S p ~ t l e s s a t a r l i c g Star1ir .g Colder- o r i o l e Raver

L. M A H D I A

Area: 280,000 ha

Major Ecosystems: Low Steppe Coast Sebkhets

Spec i f i c S i t e s Importact t o B io log ica l Divers i ty Gulf of Hammarnet: Sec t ion 3.1.3 Sebkhet Moknice: S e c t i o c 3.3.2.8

Flora : Steppe: Artemisia. Mostly c u l t i v a t e d t o g r a i c s acd o l i v e groves Cul t ivated: 200,000 ha Halophiles: 10,000 ha

Rare acd Ecdemic P l a c t s : NAS L i mor-iastrum g . 2 ~ ociarxm

Fledicical P lan t s : Artemisia sp. Phoecix d a c t y l i f e r a

Faaca : Kamals :

Jacka l Red fox Browc hare

Solacum sodomaeam Lavacdula n u l t i f i d a

Alger iac hedgehog N A Shawe s j i r d

Gerb i l s

Birds: S imi la r t o Gabes migracts (Figure 15)

Ic f luecces : C u l t i v a t i o c , overgrazicg, e r o s i o c S e t t l i r g pond overflow i c t o Sebkhet Mokcire

)!AS = Ecdemic t o North African Sahara CA = Erdemic t o North Afr ica

N. MONASTIR

Area: 105,000 ha

Major Ecosystems: Low Steppe Coast: Gulf of Hammamet

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Importact t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : Kur i a t e I s l a c d : S e c t i o c 3.2.3 Lake Monas t i r : S e c t i o n 3.3.1.4 Mocas t i r S a l t Pocds: S e c t i o c 3.3.1.5

Flora : Steppe: Artemisia. Mostly c u l t i v a t e d t o g r a i c s and o l i v e groves C d t i v a t e d : 80,000 ha Halophiles

Ecdemlc P l a c t : NAS Lirnociastrxm g ~ y o c i a c m

Yedici ca? P l a t t s : A r t e n i s l a SD. Pi s t a c i a l e c t i s c a s Phoecix d a c t y l i f e r a Lavar.dcla m u l t i f i d a Solanum sodomaezm Tamarix sp.

Gecet ic Resocrce P l a r t : Cra taegus a z a r o l ~ s

Kanmals : Jacka l M A European r a b b i t ssp. ( ~ u r i a t e ) Red fox )!A C e r b i l l u s campes t r i s ( g e r b i l ) Alger iac hedeehog !IA Shaw's j i r d Rrowc hare

Birds: G d f s of Hammamet acd Gabes waders ( ~ e c t i . 0 ~ 3.1.3 & 4 ) and: - L i t t l e grebe Her r i cg g u l l Grey heror. Lesse r black back

L i t t l e e g r e t S l ende r -b i l l ed g u l l Grea t e r f lamingo n L i t t l e t e r c

n Shelduck Col lared p r a t i c c o l e S a r d i c i a c warb le r Sky l a r k Lesser sho r t - toed l a r k Spectac led warbler Medi t e r r a c e a c g u l l Brambling

I c f l u e c c e s : C u l t i v a t i o c , g r a z i x g , eros ior . Pol lu t ior . : Sewage d i s c h a r g e , dumpi.eg

r. = r1estir.g X r d s NAS = North Africar. Sahara Ecdemic !]A = 3 o r t h Af r i ca Ecdenlc

N. SOUSSE

Area: 235,000 ha

Major Ecosystems: Low Steppe Coast: Gulf o f Hammamet

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Impor tac t t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : Sebkhets: Ke lb i a , Haulk e l Meczel, S i d i Kha l i f a ,

Meczel Dar Be1 Ouar ( ~ e c t i o c s 3.3.2.4 & 8) Ozed Essed: S e c t i o c 3.3.4.4

Flora : Ste?pr : Artomj s l a . >!ostly c ~ l t i v a t e d t o g r a j c s acd o l i v e groves Cz l t i va t ed : ?7D,OOO ha Halophi les Platted F o r ~ s t : E . x a l y p t u s , a leppg p i r e 14aq:is: Ole t i - lec t i scus , j x i p s r

Rare acd ErdenSc P l a c t s : v Ocor is v i scgsa s i e b e r i NAS Limoniastrum gzyociar.um r M e l i l o t s s e l e g a r s T S i l e n e b a r r a t t e i T Dj a c t h z s g a d i t a c s s T As t r aga lus c r 2 c i a t . x a r i s t i d i s T !<arr.;bj m a s c h e r s x i

Yedic ica l P l a c t s : Artemisia sp. L a v a ~ d s l a m u l t t f i d a P h w c j x d a c t y l i f e r a P i s t a c i a l e c t i s c u s Sole~.;m sodomaesm Tamarix sp. Eosmaricss o f f i c i ~ a l i s

G e r s t i c Fieswrce P l a c t : Olea europaea o l e a s t e r

J acka l Brown ha re Red fox N A Shaw's j i r d Alee r i a c hedgehog N A C e r b i l l c s campes t r i s ( g e r b i l )

Sousse ( ~ o c t i c u e d )

Bi rds : Gulfs of Harnmamet and Gabes waders ( ~ e c t i o c s 3.1.3 & 4 ) and: - Garnet L i t t l e Egre t Grey heron Nightheror, S p o o r b i l l G r e a t e r f lamicgo Mallard

tc Marbled t e a l ( ~ e l b i a ) Shelduck Wigeor P i r t a i l Shoveler

tr White-headed dack ( ~ e l b i a ) Crare E leocora ' s f a l c o c Barbary p a r t r i d g e Water r a i l Coot Moorher Pa rp le g a l l i c z l e L i t t l e g d l Herr icg g u l l

P r a t i n c o l e Cream colored c o u r s e r L i t t l e t e r c Caspiar terr. Black t e r n Black-bel l ied sacdgrouse Palm dove L i t t l e owl Bee e a t e r Hoopoe Swallow Lesse r shor t - toed l a r k Galer id l a r k s Grea t grey s h r i k e Far- t a i l e d w r b l e r Olivaceozs warbler h'heatear Black-eared wheatear Black wheatear Deser t wheatear Black r e d s t a r t Raver.

I c f luecces : Gravel removal from Oued Essed P o l l u t i o n : Sewags, dunpicg C a l t i v a t i o r , g r a z i n g , e r o s i o c Dams on r i v e r s f lowing i n t o Sebkhet Kelbin

v = Very Rare NAS = North Af r i cac Sahara Erdemic r = Rare ?:A = North Afr ica Erdemjc t = "rea tered T = Tiicjs ja Endemic r = Nes t i rg Bi rds

Area : 770,000 ha

Major Ecosystems: Low Steppe Coast: Gulf of Gabes Wetlands I s l acd

Specif ic S i t e s Importact t o B io log ica l Divers i ty : Thyna S a l i c e s : Sec t ion 3.3.1.6 Sebkhets: El Djem, Baradaa, E l Cherra ( ~ e c s . 3.3.2.6 & 8) Kerkeccah I s l a c d : S e c t i o c 3.1.4

Flora : Steppe: Artemisia ard J s jube . Mostly c u l t i v a t e d t o g r a i r s acd o l i v e s C ~ l t j v a t e d : 295,000 ha Halophi 1es

Rare and Erdenic P l a r t s : r T r e t a d i c l i s t e c a l l a NAS Limoriastrum guyociarum r Vicia v t l l o s a pse~do-c racca T Ococis c a t m s f i l i f o l i a r Sperga la r i a s a l i c a leiosperma T Marrubim aschersocij .

T Crepis tucetaca

F e d i c i r a l P l a c t s : Artemisia sp. Clobular ia alypum

Solanun s~donaesm Phoecix d a c t y l i f e r a

F a x a : Kamnals :

Jacka l Browc hare Red fox N A Shav's j i r d Algeriac Hedgehog N A J a c u l a s o r i e r t a l i s ( j e r b o a )

Birds: Gulf of Cabes waders acd waterfowl (see Figure 15) acd

Grace tr. White-headed duck ( ~ l ~ j e m )

Stone curlew Cream colored course r

c Collared p r a t i c c o l e Rock dove Paln dove Hoopoe Earbary p a r t r i d g e Swallow Short-toed l a r k Lesser shor t - toed l a r k Crested l a r k Sky l a r k

Woodlark Meadow p i p i t White wagta i l Great grey sh r ike Robic Stonec ha t Moussier's r e d s t a r t Blackbird Socg thrush Fulvous babbler Chaffj cch S t a r l i c e Spo t l ess s t a r l i c e S p a ~ i s h sparrow

Sfax ( con t inued)

I c f luences : Hanting acd poaching P o l l u t f oc: Discharge acd dumpicg J e t t y development: Chebba p o r t Beach developmect C u l t i v a t i o n , g r a z i n g , e r o s i o n

r = Rare RAS = F o r t h A f r i c a r Sahara Ecdemic c = Nest icg Sirds N A = North Af r i ca Ecdemic

T = T u c i s t a Ecdemic

P. GABES

Area: 695,000 ha

Major Ecosystems: Coast Subdese r t i c L i t t o r a l Steppe Subdeser t ic Cont in ta l Steppe Douirat Mountains Oases

Spec i f i c S i t e s Importact t o B io loe ica l Divers i ty : G d f of Gabes: Sec t ion 3.1.4 Matmata: Sec t ion 3.4.5 Oases: Gabes, Mareth, Metaouia, El Hamma (Sec t ioc 3.7) Sebkhet e l Eamrna: S e c t i o c 3.3.2.11

Flora : Steppe: R h a ~ t h e r i i i m / ~ r t e m i s j a Halophiles Placted Fores t : 1,500 ha of eucalyptus acd acacia Esparto grass lacd: 40,000 ha C ~ l t i v a t e d Steppe : 65,000 ha

Bare acd Ecdemic P l a c t s : v Cor.ocopus l e p i d i o i d e s NAS Limociastrum gayociacm r Pegacun harmala garamacturn T Fe r s la t x e t a c a r 1 4 o r ~ t t i a ca rescecs TL I s a t i s a leppica r Vicia v i l l o s a dasycarpa TA Reseda duriaeana r Mocsocia nivea TL Gecista microcephala va r . r Delphicium p. pubescecs TA Zygophyllun c o r c ~ t u m r Rmez p i c t u s TA S i l e c e r e t i c ~ l a t a r Ceratophyllum submersum T Diacthus gadi tacus r Fumaria p a r v i f l o r a T Lathyrus c u m i d i c ~ s r Prosopis s t ephac iaca N A T e u c r i ~ n alopeczros

T Marrubiun aschersocj i

b?edicinal P l a c t s : - . Artemisia sp. Peganum harmala Phoecix d a c t y l i f e r a Asphodelus sp. Retama raetam Tamarix sp. Rosmaricus o f f i c i n a l i s Globular ia a l y p m

Gecetic Resource P lan t s : Ceratocia s i l i q u a ( ~ a t m a t a ) Olea europaea o l e a s t e r

Gabes ( ~ o c t i n u e d )

Mammals: Yild boar (~ccornmoc) Common gece t

r Aoudad (N of E l amm ma) Cres ted porcapine t Dorcas g a z e l l e ( ~ h o t t ) Brown ha re t Hyeca (ve ry uncommon) N A Gundi

. Jacka l N A Shaw's j i r d Red fox R a t s Sacd fox Eliomys quercycus A lge r i ac hedgehog Chiropidae ' .

Birds: See F igore 15 - Zrdenic crdstacezr . :

Tnermosbaexa m i r a b i l i s ( ~ e b k h e t El an ma)

I c ~ ~ ; " ~ c B s : F o l l ~ t i o c : Z i scha rge , dumpicg, chemical i c d u s t r i e s Va t e r n a c l p ~ l a t i o c : pampicg , i r r i g a t i o c H x t i r g acd poachicg: Hare, p a r t r i d g e , g a z e l l e s , aoudad Commercial f l s h i r g C ~ l t i v a t i o c , ove rg raz ing , e r o s i o ~ D e s e r t i f i c a t i o r : 2 ,300 ha t h r e a t e c e d by du re s P l a c t a t i o r s : Due€ f i x a t i o c a rd s o i l s t a b i l i z a t i o r . S o l 1 c o c s e r v a t i o c t e r r a c i c g Pas t ; re improvemert : Forage p l a c t i c g Past ; re r e se rve : 5 ,000 ha

v = Very Rare NAS = n o r t h Af r i cac Sahara Endemic r = Pare H A = North Af r i ca Ecdemic t = T h r e a t ~ r e d TA = T u c i s i a / ~ l g e r i a Ecdernic T = T x i s i a Ecdernic TL = Tac i s j a /L ihya Ecdemic

F i g ~ r e 15

B i r d s o f t h e Gabes Gouvercorat

L i t t l e grebe Great c r e s t e d grebe Black-cecked grebe Cory @ s shea rwa te r Gaccet Connoract Squacco heron

c* L i t t l e e g r e t Great whi te e g r e t L i t t l e b i t t e r c Porp le heroc Grey heroc Glossy i b i s

t* White s t o r k Slack s t o r k S p o c c b i l l

* Grea te r flarnir-go c* Shelduck

Wieeor. Gadwall )!allard Pocha rd Tea l P i c t a i l Gargacey Shoveler Karsh h a r r i e r Her. h a r r i e r B ~ z z a r d Lorg-legged b x z a r d Goldec e a g l e Osprey K e s t r e l N e r l i c Lacner f a l c o c

t Pe reg r i ce Egyptiac v u l t u r e Barbary p a r t r i d g e Q ~ a i l Koorhec Coot Crees

t Houbara bus ta rd Oys t e rca t che r Ehck-wirged sti l t

c* Avocet S to re curlew Li t t l e r i cged p love r Rir.ged p l3ve r

Curlew s a c d p i p e r Dunlin Rcf f Broad-b i l led sandpi p e r B lack - t a i l ed godwit Bar- t a i l e d godwit Whimbrel

t S l e n d e r - b i l l e d curlew Curlew Grey p l o v e r

" L i t t l e s t i c t Spo t t ed redshack

c* Pedshar-k * Greccshack

Greec s a c d p i p e r Marsh sacdpi p e r Vood sacd pi p e r Comnoc s a c d p l p e r T u r r s t o x e Woodcock Sacde r1ir.g Kcot Lapwicg Rsd-cecked phalarope Pona r i c e skca A r c t i c skza G r e a t skua

* Medi t e r r aceac g u l l L i t t l e g s l l Black-headed g u l l

r* S l e c d e r - b i l l e d g c l l Comnoc g u l l L e s s e r black back H ~ r r i c g g u l l G r e a t b lack backed g a l l K i t t i w a k e

c L i t t l e t e r n G u l l - b i l l e d t e r c

n Black te r r . White-winged b l ack t e r c Casp iac t e r c L e s s e r - c r e s t e d t e r c Whiskered t e r c Sandwich t e r c

c Commoc t e r c * Grejr p love r

Golder p l o v e r D o t t e r e l

* Ker-t ish p love r

K i c g f i s h e r Hoopoe Short- toed l a r k Wryneck Sand mar t in Crested l a r k Swallow H o x e m a r t i c Meadnw p i p i t Vood p i p i t Tawcy p i p i t Red-throated p i p i t Water p i p i t White u a c t a i l Yellow wagtai 1 Grey wagtai 1 Robic Black r e d s t a r t M a s s s i e r ' s r e d s t a r t

Rock th rosh So re t h r u s h S tocecha t I s a b e l l i c e wheatear Wheatear Red-runped wheatear E o ~ r c i r g wheatear Blackbi rd Rufozs bcshchet Aquatic warb l e r Reed warb l e r Fac- t a i l e d warb l e r Xarmora's w a r b l e r Spec t ac l ed warb l e r S a r d i c i a c warb l e r Suba lp i ce warb l e r C h i f f c h a f f Whi t e th roa t Rlackcap Fulvous babb le r Grea t grey s h r i k e Woodchat s h r i k e Core b x t i c g Reed b c c t i cg T r ~ m p e t e r f i c c h L i m e t Goldfir.ch Greecf lcch

Figure 15 ( ~ o c t i n u e d )

R o l l e r Rock dove Palm dove T u r t l e dove Bee e a t e r Or io le Skylark Calandra l a r k Lesser shor t - toed l a r k Thick-bi l led l a r k

Barn owl Scops owl L i t t l e owl Short-eared owl Swi f t o r p a l l i d s w i f t White-rumped s w i f t Spot ted f l y c a t c h e r Col lared f l y c a t c h e r Pied f l y c a t c h e r Raven

S e r i n Chaf f i m h S i s k i n S p o t l e s s s t a r l i n g S p a ~ i s h sparrow S t a r1ir.g Wood warbler Olivaceous warbler Sedge warbler

r. = r e s t i r . & b i r d s t = t h r e a t e r e d s p e c i e s * = > 15 of p o p c l a t i o r of flyway o r b iogeographica l regioc

Area: 705,000 ha

Najor Ecosystems: S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S teppe S u b d e s e r t i c C o ~ t i n t a l S teppe Low Steppe Mozntains Oases

S p e c i f i c S i t e s I n p ~ r t a c t t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : Bou Hedma Na t iona l Park ( i r p a r t ) : S e c t i o n 5.4.4 Orbata Reserve acd Xoac ta i c D jebe l s : Bos Rarnli, S e ~ e d Sebkhets: E l G a e t t a r , E l Aqs i l a Oases: Gafsa (2057 h a ) , L a l l a (700 h a ) , E l G u e t t a r (527 ha)

F lo ra : P l a c t e d F o r e s t : Aleppo p i c e , e u c a l y p t a s , a c a c j a Kaqzis: J x l p e r , retama Espar to G r a s s l a r d : 119,000 ha C o l t i v a t e d : 193,000 ha S t e p p e Haloph i l e s

Rare acd Bcdecic P l a r t s : r Acabasis a p h y l l a 1iAS L i rnoc i a s t r~m guyociacum r R a c z c c ~ l u s f a l c a t u s i cc i i rvus r N A Ococis rosea r R . f a l c a t z s e a - f a l c a t z s T 0. c a t r i x f i l i f o l i a r T e l e p h i m sphaerosperrnum TA Reseda a l p h o c s i i T F e r o l a t x e t a c a TA R . d ~ r i a e a c a 9 A s t r a g a l x c r z c i e t u s a r i s t i d i s TA O r e o b l i t o c t h e s i o l d e s

K e d l c i r a l P l a c t s : A r t e n i s j a sp . Lavacdula rnul t i f ida Bosmaricus of f i c i c a l i s Retama raetarn G l o b z l a r l a alypzm Tamarix sp.

Gece t i c Resource P l a n t : Olea es ropaea o l e a s t e r

Fauca: Mammals :

t Dorcas g a z e l l e t Slecder -horced g a z e l l e t Aoddad

Crested po rcap ice J a c k a l

r Sacd fox Red fox K a f f i r c a t

r Sacd c a t Cornnor. g e c e t

r Saharec s t r i p e d weasel ? r o w ha re

N A Gundi N A Shaw's j i r d

Dese r t j i r d Sand r a t Black r a t Palm r a t Hozse moJse L e s s e r Eeyp t i ac jerboa Jerboa Ba t s ( 5 s p e c i e s )

r Dese r t hedgehog E l e p h a r t sh rev G e r b i l s

Cafsa ( ~ o c t i n u e d )

Birds: S i m i l a r t o S i d i Bou Zid ( s e e F igure 1 4 ) , p lus : - Grey heror.

t White s t o r k Shelduck Mallard Tea l

Bearded v u l t u r e ( ~ e d e ~ e f ) Crane Moorhen Stock dove

I r f l ~ e r c e s : F u r t j r g axd poach i rg Espa r to g r a s s h a r v e s t i c e C . i l t i v a t i o c , g r a z i c g , e r o s i o c , d e s e r t i f i c a t i o ~ So; 1 Conse rva t io r : T e r r a c e s , embarknects, p l a c t a t i o c s Reserves: BOG Hedna K.P. - 4500 ha i r t h e Couverr.orat

Orbata - 260 h a , do rcas g a z e l l e s , o s t r i c h D j . S ~ r e d - H u r t i r e a rd g r a z i r g p r o h i b i t e d

r = Rare MAS = N ~ r t h Afr ican Sahara Ecdemic t = T h r o a t ~ r e d Ck = North Afr ica Rrdemic '7 = T - c i s i e h d e m i c FA = ~ x 5 s i a / k . l p - ? r i a Erdenic

R. KEBILI

Area: 2,035,000 ha

Major Ecosystems: S u b d e s e r t i c C o r t i c t a l Steppe Grand E a s t e r n Erg Cho t t O a s i s

S p e c i f i c S i t e s I m p o r t a r t t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : Ksar Ch i l ane A r t i f i c i a l Lakes: S e c t i o n 3.3.2.15 Chott J e r i d : S e c t i o c 3.3.2.13 Kebili-Douz Oases: 1 5 i c Couvercorat (6,000 ha )

F lo ra : Kaqdis: J u c i p e r d e g r a d a t i o c Steppe: Rhactherium, Arthrophytum Cu l t i va t ed : 292,000 ha

Rare acd Ecdemic P l a c t s : rXAS As t r aga lus gombiformis TA Reseda a l p h o r s l i

r N A G e r i s t a s a h a r a e TA R . d i x i a e a r e T A ~ a r r h i ~ a m b r e v i f o l i u m TA Zygophuyllum corcutum

Med ic i r a l P l a c t s : Retama raetam Phoe r ix d a c t y l i f e r a

Asphodelis sp . Euphorbia sp.

Mamma 1s : t Dorcas g a z e l l e (Dj. ~ e b a g a ) K a f f i r c a t t Slecder-horced g a z e l l e t Aoudad (uncommoc)

J a c k a l Red fox Feccec fox

g i r d s : G r e a t e r f l amicgo B i t t e r c Mallard W i g eo r Cadwall P i n t a i l Shove le r Tea l 1.ioorher

t Houbara b a s t a r d Earbary p a r t r i d g e Rock dove Pa ln dove T z r t l e dove

Egypt ian morgoose Browr ha re Cres ted po rcup i r e (!,! of ~ h o t t s )

NA G e r b i l l u s s imor j ( g e r b j 1 )

Black-be l l ied s a rdg rouse L i t t l e owl Long-eared owl Hoopoe l a r k Cres ted l a r k Grea t grey s h r i k e White w a g t a i l Scrdb warb l e r S a r d i c i a c warb l e r S t o r e c h a t Dese r t wheatear E o u r r i r g wheateer Spa r j s h sparrow Raver

K e b i l i (cont inued)

Ic f luences : Hunting ( l a k e s ) and poaching ( g a z e l l e s and hares) Charcoal making from Calligonorn Water manipula t lon: Deep w e l l s , l ake c r e a t i o n C u l t i v a t i o c , g r a z i n g (esp. camels) , e r o s i o c Region most menaced by d e s e r t j f i c a t i o n i z Tunis ia S o i l Cor se rva t ion - A n t i - d e s e r t i f i c a t i o n : Windbreaks,

p l a n t a t i o n s , t a b i a s , d m e s t a b i l i z a t j o ~

r = Rare N A S = Borth Af r i cac Sahara Ecdenjc t = Threateced N A = Ilorth Afr ica Z ~ d e n i c T = T u ~ i s i a Ecdernjc TA = T u c i s j a /Alger ia Erdernj c

S. MEDENINE

Area: 845,000 ha

Major Ecosystems : S u b d e s e r t i c L i t t o r a l S teppe S u b d e s e r t i c C o n t i n e c t a l S teppe Douira t Mouctains Coast : Gul f o f Gabes O a s i s I s l a n d

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Impor t ac t t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y Hamada: Proposed D e s e r t Park ( S e c t i o c 5.4.7) Djerba I s l a c d : S e c t i o c 3.2.6 Sebkhet e l Kelah: S e c t i o c 3.3.2.9 B a h i r e t e l Bibace: S e c t i o c 3.3.1.7 Djebe l Mogor Garae t Boa C r a r a : C o a s t a l bay Gas i s E l Halozf : S e c t i o c 3.7

F lo ra : Steppe : Artemi si a , Rhar ther ium P!aozis: J s r i ~ e r d e n r a d a t i o n ( s ~ a r s e )

9ai-e and Endemic P l a c t s : r I ? A G e r i s t a s a h a r a e r Pegaczm harmala garamactum

r Colchicum r i c h i i r S p e r g u l a r i a s a l i n a l e io spe rma ?:AS Limociastrum guyociacam

Yedlci c a l P l a c t s : Retama r a e t a n P l a c t a g o sp. Ar t emi s i a sp . Asphodelus sp . Phoecix d a c t y l i f e r a Opuct ia f i c u s - i c d i c a

Karnnals : t Dorcas g a z e l l e

J a c k a l N A Gundi N A Shaw's j i r d

Red fox N A G e r b i l l u s c a m p e s t r i s ( g e r b i l ) Feerec fox Eliomys quercynus Dese r t hedgehog Sand r a t Browc ha re

Hedic i ce ( con t inued )

Birds: Gulf of Cabes waders and water fowl ( s e e F igure 4 ) acd: - Short- toed e a g l e Osprey Lanner f a l c o n Lesser k e s t r e l K e s t r e l C r i f f o c v a l t u r e Lappet-faced v u l t u r e Boce l l i ' s e a g l e Booted e a g l e L o r g - l e g g ~ d buzzard ??arsh h a r r i e r Houba r a b ~ s t a r d

Barbary p a r t r i d g e Cream colored c o z r s e r S t o r e curlew Sandgrouse (5 s p e c i e s ) Calardra l a r k Cres ted l a r k Thekla l a r k Deser t l a r k Hoopoe l a r k Grea t grey s h r i k e Fulvozs babbler Raver.

I r f l s e c c e s : Huct icg acd poachicg ( g a z e l l e s acd ha re s ) Shore l ine Developmect C u l t i v a t i o ~ , g r a z i c g , e r o s i o c , d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c S o i l Cocserva t ion A c t i - d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c work: p ? a r t a t i o c s , acd duce f i x a t i o c (700 ha ) Proposed Dese r t Park a t Hanada: 10,000 - 12,000 ha

r = Rare NAS = North Af r i cac Sahara Ecdenic t = Threa teced N A = 3 o r t h Af r i ca Zcdemi c

T. TATAOUIME

Area: 3 ,600,000 ha

Najor Ecosystems: S u b d e s e r t i c C o n t i n e c t a l Steppe D o u i r a t Mountains Cracd E a s t e r n Erg

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Impor t an t t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y :

J e c e i c - Oued Ouni: Proposed Biosphere Reserve ( s e c t i o n 5.4)

F lo ra : Steppe: Rhac the r iun , A r t e m i s i a , A r i s t i d a , Arthrophytum Deser t ( ~ r g ) : c. 1 ,000,000 ha dominated by Calligocum C z l t i v a t e d : 50 ,000 ha Halophi le

Bere a r d Frdemic P l a r t s : v D i p l ~ t a x i s a c r i s E Calligocum a z e l v F a r s e t i a h a m i l t o r i i E C. a r i c h r D e l p h j n i ~ m p. p u b e s c e ~ s TL I s a t i s a l e p p i c a

vNhS Rardocia a f ri ceca T Ococis c a t r i x f i l i f o l i a r ! :orsoria c j v e a rMAS P s e u d e r ~ c a r i a c l a v a t a

Y ~ d i c l c a l P l a r t s : Retama raetam Ar temis ia sp .

Kanmals: t D ~ r c e s g a z e l l e

Phoecix d a c t y l i f e r a

Sacd c a t t S l e rde r -ho r r ed g a z e l l e Saha rac s t r i p e d wease l t Aozdad (uccommoc) Browc ha re t Hyera ( urcommoc) N A Cundi

J a c k a l N A Shaw's j i r d Red fox Sard fox Feccec fox

Birds: Locg-legged buzzard

t Red k i t e t P e r e g r i r e

G r i f f o r v s l t u r e Sarbary p a r t r i d g e T z r t l e dove P5 r.-tsi l e d s acdg rouse Spot ted s a c d ~ r o s s e Ga le r id l a r k s

N A C e r b i l l i s c a m p e s t r i s ( g e r b i l ) N A J a c u l u s o r i e n t a l i s ( j e rboa)

Eliomys quercynus

G r e a t g rey s h r i k e White w a g t a i l S l ack wheatear White-crowred b lack wheatear Mourcing wheatear Mouss ie r ' s r e d s t a r t S p a r i s h sparrow Ravec

Tataoui ne ( ~ o c t i c u e d )

Influecces: Hunticg and poaching: About 800 icd iv idua l s Cul t iva t ioc , overgrazing, e ros ioc , d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c S o i l Cocservatioc - Anti-Deser t i f ica t ion work:

P l a n t a t i o n s ( a c a c i a , eucelyptus) , t a b i a s , d i r t windbreaks, pas ture j.mprovemect, small pa rce l i r r i g a t i o n

v Very Rare NAS = North Africac Sahara Ecdernic r = Rare NA = North Africa Ecdemic t * Threatened TL = Tacisia/Libya Erdemic T = Tsc j s ia Ecdenic E = Gracd Easterc Erg Ecdecic

U . TOZEUR

Area: 610,000 ha

Major Ecosystems: S u b d e s e r t i c C o n t i n t a l S teppe I,!ountain Chot t Oas i s

S p e c i f i c S i t e s Impor t ac t t o B i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y : Cho t t s J e r i d acd E l Charsa : S e c t i o n s 3.3.2.13 & 14 Oases: Tozeur, Nefza, Tamirza ( s e c t i o n 3.7)

F lo ra : I4aqujs: 12,000 ha degraded j u n i p e r Steppe: Artemisj a H a l o ~ h i l e : 221.000 ha

pare a rd Erdenic P l a c t s : r 1.Iocsocia c i v e a r X A Gec i s t a s aha rae r Delphicium o r i e c t a l e TA Reseda du r i aeaca

J<edj .ciral P l a r t s : G lobz l a r j a a lypun Rosnar icus o f f i c i c a l i s

S i r d s :

Dorcas g a z e l l e Aoiidad Eyeca (accommor) J a c k a l Red fox

Lavacdula m z l t i f i da

Wild boar (oases ) K a f f i r c a t (uccommoc) Dese r t hedgehog Brown ha re Cres ted porcupine

Sheldcck Palm dove Black wheatear K e s t r e l Cres t ed l a r k Black-eared wheatear Hosbara b a s t a r d Hoopoe l a r k Mourning wheatear Barbary p a r t r i d g e D e s e r t l a r k Rock b u c t i n g Sandgrouse ( 5 s p ) White w a g t a i l Spanish sparrow

I c f l a e c c e s : C a l t j v a t j o r , o v e r g r a z i n g , e r o s i o n , d e s e r t i f i c a t i o n Oas i s c r e a t i o n and e x t e n s i o c Water t a b l e m a c i p u l a t i on: I r r i g a t i o n S o i l C o r s e r v a t i o c work: h'indbreaks, p l a c t a t i o c s , dune

s t a b i l i z a t i o c

r = Rare 4 h = North Af r i ca Erdenic t = Threa t e r ed TA = T a c i s i a / A l g e r i a Ecdenic

5. BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY PROTECTION

5.1 . GOVERNNEIJT INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE

The M i c i s t r y of A g r i c u l t u r e i s t h e governmect ageccy most r e s p o c s i b l e f o r macagjcg acd p r o t e c t i c g b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y acd f o r e s t s . Also provid icg impor t ac t s e r v i c e s a r e t h e H i c i s t r y of Heal th , which i c c l u d e s t h e Na t iona l O f f i c e o f Rcvirocmectal S a c i t a t j o c . The Na t iona l Educa t ioca l Rducatioc M i n i s t r y i n c l u d e s t h e I n s t i t u t e of S c i e c t i f i c and Techc ica l Research (INRST) and i t s C e c t e r f o r Arid Zoce S t u d i e s (CEZA) , and t h e Nat ioca l Envirocmectal Board, which a d v i s e s oc ~ c v i r o r m e n t a l p o l i c y , l e g i s l a t i o c and o t h e r r e l a t e d a c t i v i t i e s .

Ucder t h e Min i s t ry of A g r i c u l t u r e a r e s e v e r a l D i r e c t o r a t e s charged w i t h er.virocmecta1 p r o t e c t i o c acrl ecforcemect . These i n c l u d e ( ~ r a c t igac) :

D i r e c t o r a t e of F o r e s t s ( ~ i r e c t i o c des ~ o r e t s ) A c t i v i t i e s : F o r e s t r y l e g i s l a t i o n acd managemert

Sub-Direc tora te of Hucting and Na t iona l P a r k s (SOLS D l r e c t l o c de l a Chasse e t P a r c s ~ a t i ~ r a l )

h c t i v i t i e s : E s t a b l i s h n e c t of c a t i o r a l parks acd r e s e r v e s Spec i e s p r o t e c t 5 oc

D i r e c t o r a t e of t h e Environmect ( ~ i r e c t i o r de 1 'Ecvi r o c r e n e r t ) A c t i v i t i e s : I c p d t oc ecv i rocmec ta l l e g i s l a t i o r

Es t ab l i shmec t of p r o t e c t e d a r e a s a rd s p e c j e s

D i r e c t o r a t e of Water acd S o i l Resources ( ~ i r e c t i o c d e s Ressozrces er. Ea; e t ec s o l )

A c t i v i t i e s : Research oc e r o s i o r c o r t r o l and hydrology

D i r e c t o r a t e of F i s h e r i e s ( ~ i r e c t i o c des ~ e c h e s ) N a t i o ~ a l S c i e n t i f i c acd T e c h r i c a l I n s t i t u t e o f Ocfacographg acd

F i s h e r i e s ( ~ c s t i t u t K a t i o c a l S c i e c t i f i q u e e t Techrique d '0ceacography e t de Peche - I??STOP)

A c t i v i t i e s : Research on oceacography, f i s h e r i e s , n a r i c e b io logy , a q u a c u l t u r e

ORSTOM Mission t o t h e M i n i s t r y of A g r i c u l t u r e (1:issjor. d'OSSTOF: eupres d s M i c i s t e r e de l g A g r i c u l t u r e

A c t i v i t i e s : S t u d i e s on e a r t h s c i e c c e s acd phyto-ecology

D i r e c t o r a t e of Research, T r a i n i n g and I n s t r u c t 5 o n o f Cadres ( ~ i r e c t i o c de 1'Er.seigcernect de l a Recherche e t de l a F o n a t i o c des Cadres)

Inc ludes : K a t i o ~ a l Agrocomic I c s t i t u t e ( ~ c s t i t u t N a t i o c a l Agrocomique de

T u n i s i e - INAT) I c s t i t ~ t e of Aerocimic Research ( I n s t i t u t k i t i o c a l de l a Recherche

de T ~ c i s i e - IKRAT) I ~ s t i t u t e o f F o r e s t r y Research ( I c s t i t u t Yatior.al de Iiecherches

Fo re s t ) e r e s - I?!RF) Cer.ter f o r Research acd R ~ r a l h'orks ( C e c t r e de Recherches e t d;

Ce r i e ~ ; r a l )

Arid Regiocs I n s t i t u t e ( I c s t i t u t e de s Regiocs Ar ides - IRA)

O f f i c e o f Ecv i rocmec ta l Af f aP r s A c t i v i t i e s : Coord i ca t i oc o f a l l c a t i o c a l acd i c t e r c a t i o c a l

e cv i rocmec ta l a f f a i r s

The P a s t e u r I c s t u t a t e ( I n s t i t u t P a a t e u r de ~ u n i s ) c o c d u c t s r e s e a r c h i x p a r a s i t o l o g y acd i s coccerned w i t h t h e impact of b a c t e r i a l w a t e r p o l l u t i o c . The i c s t i t u t e p rov ides e d u c a t i o c a l i n f o r m a t i o r t o t h e g e c e r a l pab l i c . There a r e a l s o some quasi-governmeeta1 a g e c c i e s concerned w i t h ecv i rocmec ta l r e s e a r c h and p r o t e c t i o n . These i n c l u d e t h e U c i v e r s j t y o f Tuc is ( e s p e c i a l l y t h e F a c d t y o f S c i e n c e s acd t h e S c i e n t i f i c Research ~ e c t e r ) , t h e F e d e r a t i o c o f Regioca l Hunticg A s s o c i a t i o c s acd t h e A s s a c i a t i o c f o r t h e P r o t e c t i o c of Nature acd t h e Ecvironmect ( ~ s s o c i a t i o c T x i s i e c c e po;r l a P r o t e c t i o c de l a Nature e t de 1 'Ecvirorxernect - ATPNE). The ATPIZ h a s t h e f o l l o w i c g f u r c t i o c s :

a ) P r o t e c t f l o r a , fa:ca, s o i l s , a i r and n a t u r a l s i t e s b) F;Slic c o c s e r v a t i o c e d x a t i o c ( e s p e c i a l l y y o ~ t h ) c ) C o r t r i b s t e t o ecv i rocrnec ta l p r o t e c t i o c l e g i s l a t i o r d ) P r o a o t e c r e a t 5 o c of c a t ~ r e r e s e r v e s E) C a l l a b o r a t e w i t h o t h e r c a t u r e p r o t e c t i o c o r g a r i z a t i o c s f ) Use a l l l e g a l meacs t o oppose p r o j e c t s t h a t e r d a c g e r c a t u r e o r

~ a t u r e l e q z i l i b r i ~ m .

5.2. ?lo!: GOVEEYYS?!TAL ASSOCIATIOKS

A roc-govercmecta l o r c i t h o l o g i c a l a s s o c i a t i o c c a l l e d t h e F r i e c d s o f Bi rds ( ~ s s o c i h t i o c d e s kmis des Oiseaux - AAO) has formed i c Tac i s . F e n S ~ r s p a r t i c i p a t e i c ecv i ronmec ta l e d u c a t i o c acd p r o t e c t i o c , f i e l d e c t l v i t i ~ s acd eccoGrage p rope r govemmec ta l p r o t e c t i o n meascres .

A H a t i o c a l committee f o r t h e Mac acd t h e B iosphe re (KAB) program h a s a l s o beer o r g a c i z e d . Biosphere r e s e r v e s were d e s i g c a t e d i c 1977 a t Bou Hedca, I c h k e d l , Chambi acd Zembra.

S e v e r a l i c t e r c a t i o c e l c o c s e r v a t i o c o r g a r i z a t i o c s acd a s s i s t a c c e agecc i e s have cocducted r e s e a r c h acd provided c o c s u l t a c t s ncd f u c d i c g f o r c o c s e r v a t i o c p r o j e c t s i c T u c i s i a . These j nc lude :

- I c t e r c a t i o c a l Waterfowl Research Bureau ( ~ c ~ l a c d ) : C o c s a l t i c g , wet lacd p r o j e c t s

- I c t e r c a t i a c a l Coucc i l f o r Bird P r o t e c t i o c ( ~ c g l a c d )

- \!orlawide F ~ c d f o r Nature (hPdF): I c h k e z l N a t j o c a l Park eco r~s secn , 902 Hedna N . P. r e i c t r o d u c t j o c s , we t l acd r e s e a r c h ( ~ e e i s s )

- i s ' s : I c h k e i l X.P. econusenn

- i c t t r m t 5 o c z l Ucj o r f o r Be t z r e Cocse rva t i oc ( ~ w j t z e r l a c d )

- ?;r3?ear. Ecoconic Canacc i ty : Fscded I c h k e ~ l wa te r nacagenec t s t u d i e s

- C e r n a c - T ~ c i s i a c S o c i e t y (CTZ) : Rou Hedme N.P. rnacagemect acd ac jma l r e i c t r o d c c t i o c s ; f e c c i c g of r e s e r v e s ('21 F'eid j a ) ; f o r e s t r y nacaeemect

- Ucive r s i t y C o l l r ~ e Lordoc: I chkeu l N.P. rnacagsnert p l a c

- Peace Corps: Ass i s t ed wi th 90s Korcice N.P. macagemeet p l a c c i c g

- \!orld Sack: 2cvi rocrner t - re la ted l o a m

5.3. EI:VI3O;!Z3:TAL LECISLATIOII

D.;rlr.g t h e c o l o c i a l period a ser. of l e g j s l a t i o c was e s t a b l i s h e d f o r t he p r s t e c t i o c o f t h e ecvironmect . A f t e r icdepecdecce t h e s e laws were most ly r ~ p l a c e c ! o r >ipdated (IUCI: 1987). Alt,hoiigh r.ot a lways ec fo rced , t h e r e erz e f e l r c ~ n b r r of p ~ s t - c o l o r - i a l laws t~ p r o t e c t t h e ecv i rocnec t . Le;::sls~i3r. has beer passed p r o t e c t i c e , o r r r e . d a t i c g t h e use o f :

F i s h e r i e s ~ t l i l d l i f e / n i l d l a r . d s Bor. recewable r e s o 2 r c e s Hezard2us s ~ i b s t ~ a r c e s Sol5 d waste d i s p o s a l

5 ~ 3 5 35 t h 2 n t r t i n p o r t a c t laws r e g a r d i c g cocserva t ior . of b i o l o g i c a l d:versf t y ar? thv h ; c t i r c acd f i s h i c ~ r e g ~ l a t i o c s ocd t h o s e l i s t e d b e l o r ( a l t e r : G r e r . ~ : 9G3) ; e s p e c i a l l y t h e f o r e s t r y code.

h c r e e :373 ( s i c c e mod i f i ed ) : r e g u l a t e s cor . se rva t ioc acd ~ t i l i z a t i o r 3f p-bl-c xsters. P r o h i b i t s d i s c h a r g e of p o l l u t a c t s i c t o p s b l i c domajc waters a t ? a c t i v 5 t i ~ s l i a b l e t o po l l i i t e water so . i rces .

A : : , r ic ipe l la \ : 2f ? x i s p r o h i b i t s d i s cha rge of r e f ~ s e o r acy cox iozs s-bstbr.:? S r t o ca r - a l s , sewers o r r i v e r s . Discharge i c t o t h e s e a from t o ; ~ : s ~ r e s 3 r t s i s proh4bi t e d .

S igca tory t o t h e Earce1or.a Cor.ver.tj3c cf t h e K e d i t e r r a ~ e a r . Sea Aga i r s t P o l l . i t i w (16 Feb. 1976). Agreed t o c o c t r o l dumpicg of p o l l ~ t a c t s from s h i p s acd t c combat o i l s p i l l s ar.d o t h e r harmful s ~ b s t a n c e p o l l s t i o c .

S i g r a t 9 r y t o P r o t o c o l f o r t h e P r o t e c t i o r . o f t h e 1.Iediterracear. Sea hgbirst ? ~ l l . i t i o r from Lord Rased S o ~ r c e s (1979). Agreed t o c o c t r o l r ~ l e a s e 3f la rd-based p o l l x i t a r t s a ~ d t o z l j n i n a t e r e l e a s e o f c e r t a i c spec j f i ed cheni c a l s .

?LCTL.' .:,:c; f: eC; .,. . . I - - , A * u . - -- :"O): O r lar-d wi th a s l o p ? > 2&, c e r t a i r 1er.d ,st-. c?:. !SF r r zh ib j t e : ! S r f av2 r of c 3 r s ? r v a t i 3 r of t h e vegetat5or . cove r , krd,'sr :!.i lar..'zwr.Fr c t r t r r e c ~ j r 2 d t o c 2 r s t r i c t s o i l ar.2 weter c c r s ~ r v : : ~ : c r s t r ; c t , rcs .

Law No. 58-105, 1958: O c s l o p e s > 2% a g r i c z l t u r a l a c t j v i t i e s r iast be c a r r i e d o;t a l o r g t h e c o r t o ~ r s a rd erosior . c o r t r o l neas i i res must be implemerted .

Law 80. 59-48, 1959: I c s ~ f f i c i e r t l y o r i r a d e q u a t e l y c z l t i v a t e d l a r d c a r be s e q u e s t r a t e d ( t h i s c ac work a g a i r s t e r v i r o r m e r - t a l c o c s e r v a t i o c ) .

F o r e s t s acd V e g e t a t i o c

Law No. 58-83, 1958: L i m i t s t h e r a i s i c g o f g o a t s .

Law l!o. 59-143, 1959: Promotes d e s t r u c t i o r o f j u j u b e t r e e s ( ~ i z y ~ h o s l o t u s . T h i s law i s d e t r i m e c t a l t o t h e r a t i v e f l o r a . -

L e w No. 66-60, 1966: The F o r e s t r y cod^. R e g s l a t e s t h e c o r s e r v a t i o c ar.d e x p l o i t a t i o r o f f o r e s t r e s o u r c e s , i r c l u d i r g r e f o r e s t a t i o r , d x e s t a b i l i z a t i o r , acd e s p a r t o g r a s s l a c d nacagemert. E r a b l e s e s t a b l i s h n e r t o f r a t i o r e l p a r k s acd p r o t e c t e d a r e a s .

R e g A a t i o r s c f 1966: S e v e r a l r e g z l a t 5 o r s corcerr.ir.fr t h e p r o t e c t i o r of b i r d s a rd h x t i r g .

JO2T K3. 4 4 , 198.4: C e r e r a l p o l i c i e s of c a t i o r z l pzrks .

A r t ) c l e 58-60, 1958: F o r e s t r y L e g i s l a t i v e Tex t s . C r a z l c g , s h o o t i c g a rd f i s h i r g c s r be r e s t r i c t e d ir p ro t ec t ed a m a s .

A r t i c l e 58 o f T s c i s i a r Law K O . 66-60 s t a t e s t h a t ' K a t ~ r a l reg5cr.s or s e c t i o r s of r e g i o r s f o r which i t is i m p o r t a r t f o r s c i e c t l f i c r e g l o r s , a rd c h a r a c t e r i z e d i r a g e r e r a l marcer of soc j . a l s t i l i t y t o a s s z r e t h e i r ma i r t e r acce i r t h e i r r a t u r a l s t a t e c a r be d e s i g r a t e d r s t i o ~ a l pa rks o r ana log r e s e r v e s . ' P a r k s and r e s e r v e s a r e c r e a t e d by p r e s i d e r t i a l dec ree . Gecera l macageme~ t p o l i c i e s of c a t i o c a l pa rks were p2b l i shed i r t h e O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l JORT No. 44 i c 1984.

The X i c i s t r y o f A g r i c a l t a r e i s r e s p o r s i b l e f o r a d n i r i s t r a t i o c a r d macagemert o f p r o t e c t e d a r e a s . The D i r e c t o r a t e o f t h e Env i ro rmer t i s r e s p o r s i b l e f o r g e c e r a l c o - o r d i r a t i o n acd t h e F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e i s i r charge of a d m i r i s t r a t i o c a rd macagemect ( 1 ~ ~ 1 1 1987) . Ucf o r t i i r e t e l g , both a g e r c i e s a r e l i m i t e d i n s t a f f a r d f i c a r c e s , and c o o p e r a t i o c b e t v e e r t h e two i s poor. K a r i r e r e s e r v e s a rd pa rks have bee r ~ r d e r t h e j c r i s d t c t j o c of t h e Conmisar ia t C e r e r a l o f F i s h e r i e s ocd t h e E i r j s t r y of F e f e r s e s i r c e t h e i s l a r a s were occdpj ed by t h e m i l i t a r y I r 1979.

Each r a t i o r a l park h a s ~r e d n i r i s t r a t o r a rd s e v e r ~ 1 g i a r 2 i s r . s a s s i g r e d t o p r 9 t e c t t h e s i t e . P r o t ~ c t e d r e s e r v e s a r e t h e r e s p n c s l S S l l t y 9f t k e r e g i o r a l f o r e s t e r s , game warde r s ( ~ ; a r d s de ~ h a s s e ) arc! s p e c i a l l y asslqrec! gsard i er.s.

Figure 16

Parks and Reserves of Tunisia

Zembra N.P.

Ichkeul N.P.

Chambi N.P.

Bou Hedma N .P.

Bou Kornine N.P.

El Feidja Reserve

Hamada - Sidi Toui Proposed N.P.

Galite Reserve

Lake Tunis Protected Wetland

Ain Baccouch Reserve

Mhibes Reserve

Kechem el Kelb Reserve

Orbata Reserve

Dar Chichou Reserve

Jenein - Oued Ouni Proposed Biosphere Reserve

One of t h e g o a l s of t h e c a t i o c a l park pzogram is t o have a pa-b r e p z e s e c t i c g each o f t h e major ecosys tems i c T u c i s i a . There a r e c u - ~ e c t l y 5 c a t i o c a l p a ~ k s , 2 pzoposed p a r k s , acd 3 p z o t e c t e d Feserves ( f i g x e 16). Non-govexnent ,a l s o w c e s have recomrnecded t h e e s t a b l i s h m e e t of a d d i t i o c a l p ro t ec t ed a r e a s a t 19 othe:. l o c a t i o c s (IUCN l 9 8 7 ) , i c c l a d i c g t h e Da- Fatma bog, 2 l agoocs , 12 s ebkhe t s acd c h o t t s , 3 c o a s t a l a 2 e a s acd K,-iate 5slar.d.

The f a c c a and f l o r a o f most o f t h e c a t i o c a l pazks and r e s e r v e s a r e d i s cus sed i c s e c t i o c 3. A good d i z e c t o r y o f t h e n a t i o c a l p a ~ k s acd r e s e r v e s was produced by t h e I U C N (1987).

5.4.1. Zembra N a t i o c a l Park acd Biosphere Rese rve 4030 ha

The i s l a c d s of Zenbra and Zembl-etta we-e d e s i g c a t e d T u c i s i a v s f i r s t c a t i o c a l park i c 1977 by dec ree NO. 77-340. The ecosystem is desc r ibed i c S e c t i o r 3.: .2.

A h o t e l acd Sucgalows were c o c s t z c c t e d o r Zemb-a acd iip t o 200 people were p:esect d a i l y i c t h e s u m e x befo-e 1979. The i s l a r d s became a m i l i t a r y base i c :979 acd a l l t o ~ r i s m acd c a t i o c a l park nacagemect was h a l t e d (IUCC :967) . Fron t h e :360s t o 1976 t h e ~ e was a na-i t ime reseal-ch cen t e - OE Zenb-a, bu t i t has beer. occupied by t h e Marice Nz t ioca l e s i n c e :979. Some l i m i t e d ~ e s e a x h has beec cocducted i n r e c e c t yeax i acd t h e r e a r e p x p 3 s a l s t 3 - e - e s t a b l i s h guided t o s - s acd l i m i t e d s t a g s ox t h e i s l a r 2 .

1-!ilita-y c o c t r o l r e d ~ c e s t h e d e t r i n e c t a l e f f e c t s oe t h e ecosystem caused by t o i r i s t s acd f i s h e r n e e , bu t t h e m i l i t a r y p e r s o e c e l themselves may be d i s r c p t i c g t h e ecv i rocmect . Prima-y needs o f Zembra r a t i o n a l park a x c c r r e ~ t l y t h e r e - d e l e g a t i o c o f macagemeet t o t h e F o r e s t 7 D i r e c t o r a t e acd t h e a s s igcmec t of adequate park p e r s o c c e l .

5.4.2. I c h k e u l Na t iona l Park acd B2osphere Rese rve 10,775 ha

Ltike Ichke i i l ( ~ e c t i o c 3.3.1 . I ) acd D jebe l I c h k e u l ( ~ e c t l o r 3.4.: .6) were e s t a b l i s h e d a s a c a t i o c a l p a ~ k by Lav l!o. 80-1608 i c Decernbe: 19e0. Ichkei i l :!.P. i s t h e oc ly s i t e i c t h e world t o have t h e t r i p l e d i s t i c c t j o c of be i cg d e c l a r e d a b io sphe re r e s e r v e (1977 ) , i c c l u d e d oe t h e l i s t of Wetlacds of I c t e r x a t j o c a l Impor tacce ( ~ a m s a z Cocvec t i oc ) and a s a World H e r i t a g e s i t e (: 980).

A c ecomuse.im ( i c f o r n a t i o n c e c t e r ) h a s beec c o c s t m c t e d oc D j . I chkeu l wi th a s s i s t a c c e from t h e B r i t i s h l4usezm acd t h e WF. The miisem is i r t e c d e d t o e d ~ c a t e t h e p. ibl ic abou t t h i s v e r y impo-tact ecosystem acd t o p r m o t e s e c s i b l e t o z i s t i c iise acd awareces s ox t h e pa-t of l o c a l y e s i d e c t s .

T h e l a k e i s t h e s i c g l e mst imp3-tact we t l acd f o r bi-ds i r Ir '3r th k f - i c a , y e t i t i s c u - r e c t l y t h r e a t e r e d by 6 dam p - o j e c t s on t h e r f v e ~ s t n a t p x v i d e I c h k e i l ~ i t h f r e s h w a t ~ ? . A - e d o c t i o c i r f ~ e s h w a t e - :r.pi;t wo-ld r e s - l t i r i r c - ea sed s a l t w a t e - i r p ~ t t h ~ o 3 g h O u e d T i r j a . Chacges i c

5.4.6. Proposed N a t i o n a l Pa rk a t E l Fekdja 2517 ha

There i s c u r r e c t l y a 417 ha f ecced t o p r o t e c t t h e barbary d e e r of E l F e i d j a ( ~ e c t i o c 3.4.1.1 ). The f e c c e was e r e c t e d i c 1966 wi th t h e h e l p of t h e CTZ. S i c c e t h e e , t h e r e h a s bee r a lmos t co hsmac d i s t z r b a r c e i c t h e r e s e r v e acd t h e d e e r p o p u l a t i o c h a s i n c r e a s e d s i g c i f i c a c t l y . To accornodate t h e i c c r e a s i r g d e e r p o p u l a t i o c and p r o t e c t t h e r e s t of t h e d i v e r s e f a m a acd f l o r a , a 2517 ha a r e a i s b e i c g cocs ide red f o r a c a t i o r a l park. The a r e a i s popula ted by abou t 160 f a m i l i e s (IUCN 1987) , b a t t h e wooded p o r t j o c s a r e u c i r h a b i t e d .

Cur r ec t f a c i l i t i e s a t E l F e i d j a i r c l u d e a f o r e s t r y p o s t wi th a s m a l l museum acd a n e c c l o s u r e f o r h o l d i c g i c j u r e d d e e r a r d p u b l i c d i s p l a y . I f a c a t i o c a l park i s c r e ~ t e d t h e r e w i l l be ceed f o r a g e n e r a l nacagemect p l a c , a park h e a d q a a r t e r s , s t a f f , v e h i c l e s , remodel icg o f t h e m i x e x , acd eqa ipaec t .

5.4.7. Proposed N a t i o c a l Park a t Hamada a r d D j e b e l S i d i Toui : 2 ,003 ha

A l t h o ~ g h 5 3 2 Fedna N.P. i s i c e c a r i d r e g i o c , a t r u e d e s e r t ecosystem i s miss icg f r o n T u c i s i a ' s c a t i o r a l park cetwork. Theyefore a r a t i o n a l park - biosphere r e s e r v e h a s b e e r proposed f o r t h e a r e a araucd Djebe l S i d i Todi ( s e e S e c t i o c 3.5.4). The s o a t h f o o t o f t h e d j e b e l h a s beec p r o t e c t e d from g r a z i c g f o r a b o ~ t 20 y e a r s , w i th d r ama t i c v e g e t z t i o c r e spocse , acd some of t h e l a s t r e n a i c i c g d c s p o i l t s t e p p e i s i c t h e p r o j e c t a r e a ( I U C I ~ 1987).

The GTZ, ATPIJE acd KAB committee a r e i cvo lved i c t h e r e s e a r c h acd p repa ra to ry p l a c c i c g f o r t h e park . There i s c u r r e c t l y a r e x p e r i m e r t a l s t a t i o c of t h e 5 e d e c i c e I R A ir t h e a r e a , where came l /vege t a t i oc i c t e r a c t i o c s e r e b e i c g s t ~ d i e d . I R A f b c i l i t i e s a r e l i k e l : ~ t o be dsed 1c t h e f u t u r e park. The c a t i o c a l c o c t r i b u t i o c t o t h e r e s e r v e ha s Seee 91 ,609 m ~ d c i s i a c D ica r s . The bddget i s dsed f o r p e r s o c c e l , w e l l s , racge improvemeet o ~ t s i d e t h e r e s e r v e acd p r o t e c t i o c of t h e r e s e r v r , bu t a c a d d i t i o n a l 66 ,000 US d o l l a r s i s s t i l l reeded f o r eqz ipmect , t r a i c j c g e r d e c o c s ~ l t a r t (!'.ic. Agr. : 985) .

5.4.8. G a l i t o n Reserve 650 ha

The i s l a n d s of G a l i t o c (27 ha) acd La F o u c h e l l e (14 ha) acd a 0.5 s e a mi l e r a d i ~ s i c t h e G a l i t e a r c h i p e l a g o were d e s i g c a t e d a s a s t r i c t c a t u r e r e s e r v e i c :980. There i s j e t e r n a t i o n a l l y j m p o r t a c t f a u c a , i c c l u d i c g monk s e a l s acd c e s t i c g E l e o c o r a ' s f a l c o c s a r d ~ u d o u i n ' s g u l l s , o r t h e a r ch ipe l ago acd d i v e r s e mar ice f a x a , i c c l u d i c g red c a r a l , t h s t i s b e i c e t h r ee t eced by t h e l o c a l pop - l a t i o c , v i s i t i c g f i shermec acd r e c r e a t i o c a l d i v e r s ( s e e S e c t i o c 3.1 . I ) .

B e t t e r p j b l j c a v a r e c e s s of t h e r e s e r v e i s ceeded , which vo-ld i r c l s d e i c s t a l 1 i r . e r e g ~ l e t i o c c o t i c e s or, t h e i s l a c d of GalSt f ar.d i c f o m i r . ~ a i v i c g o u t f i t t e r s . Ac ecforcemer.t s t a f f should a l s 3 be t r a i c e d ac? eqs lpped . Eqaipnect wo-ld i c c l ~ d e ' z o d i a c ' t ype b o a t s acd mc1t31-s~ b i c r c ; ; l a r s , r a d i o s a ~ d , i d e a l l y , d i v i c e equipmeet , s o d i v i c e a c t i v S t 5 e s cc-ld be mori tored acd c o r a l h a r v e s t i c g acd s p e a r f i s h i c g c o u l d b ~ p r ~ v e c t e d i c t h e r e s e r v e .

5.4.9. Lake ~ u n f s P r b t e c t e d Vet land 4500 ha

Lake Tuc i s was d e s i g n a t e d a P r o t e c t e d Wetland i c 1980. T h i s s t a t a s does c o t r e c e s s i t a t e h a b i t a t improvemect a c t i o n s , a l t hough they a r e allowed; however, a c t i o n s t h a t degrade t h e envi rocmect should be s topped . Lake Tunis i s e s p e c i a l l y impor t an t because endangered b i r d s ( i n c l u d i c g marbled t e a l , white-headed duck and p e r e g r i n e ) and Smpor ta r t cumbers of o t h e r waterfowl and waders use t h e l a k e f o r f e e d j c e and n e s t i n g . The c l o s e proximity t o T u n i s enhances t h e c o c s e r v a t i o r educa t i on v a l u e of t h e l ake .

Uc fo r tuca t e ly , t h e c l o s e proximi ty t o Tun j s a l s o make t h e s p a c e va luable f o r development , and i c s p i t e of t h e P r o t e c t e d Wetland s t a t u s , over 900 ha have been f i l l e d t o provide a l o c a t i o c f o r t h e c o n s t r d c t i o c of a new s e c t i o c of c j t y . The p r o j e c t w i l l e v e c t u a l l y f j l l ove r one - th i rd of t h i s impor t ac t wet lacd and t h e h a b i t a t q u a l i t y of t h e r e s t o f t h e l a k e may be degraded.

The developmect p r o j e c t h a s advacced t o o f a r t o be s tnpped cow, so m i t i g a t i o c should be s o ~ ~ h t t o i m p r w e t h e r e s t 3f t h e l a k e . Improvenec ts coeld i cvo lve i c c r e a s i n g wa te r c i r c 2 l a t j o c i c t h e l a k e o r e x c l u d i c ~ hdmac a c t i v i t y aroucd t h e i s l a c d of Chikly.

5.4.10. Aim Baccouch and Mhibes Reserves

Alocg t h e K r o m S r i e moucta jc r acge , a 90 ha a-ea a t A i r Baccozch ( s e c t i o c 3.4.1.4) acd a 370 ha a r e a a t Mhibes ( s e c t i o c 3.4.1.5) have beec fecced t o p r o t e c t t h e ecdacgered ba rba ry dee r . Aic Baccozch c o c t a i n s 50 - 100 dee r , which i s a l a r g e herd f o r t h e s i z e of t h e r e s e r v e , s o t h e r e a r e p l a c s t o e c l a r g e t h e r e s e r v e t o 370 ha . Both r e s e r v e s a r e domicated by cork oak f o r e s t acd Aie Baccouch c o r t a i c s some mar i t ime p i ce . Coct icued m a i ~ t e c a c c e of t h e f e n c e s acd s u r v e i l l a c c e of t h e r e s e r v e s a r e c a r r e c t macagemect cocce rc s .

5.4.1 1. Kechem e l Kelb Reserve 303 ha

I c 1970 a r e s e r v e was fecced on t h e mouctaic a d j a c e c t t o Djebe l Chambi t o p r o t e c t t h e r e s i d e n t C u v i e r ' s g a z e l l e s . Endangered hyecas a l s o l i v e i c t h e r e se rve . The f e c c e was e r e c t e d t o keep t h e humacs and l i v e s t o c k o u t , bat i t does n o t keep t h e g a z e l l e s i n , and some c r o p damage has beec repor ted by l o c a l f a rmer s . C u r r e n t management p r i o r i t i e s i c c l u d e : maictecacce of t h e f e c c e , s u r v e i l l a c c e of t h e r e s e r v e and e n s u r i c g t h a t a d e q ~ a t e food and wa te r a r e a v a i l a b l e t o t he an ima l s . A l a r g e wa te r catchmect ha s been c o n s t r u c t e d t o supp ly d r i c k i c g wa te r acd p a l a t a b l e c a c t d s has beer p l an t ed o u t s i d e t h e r e s e r v e t o draw t h e g a z e l l e s away f r ~ m fa.m crops.

5.4.12. Orba ta Reserve 260 ha

A 260 ha a r e a a t t h e base o f D jebe l Orba ta was fecced i c 1969 t o p r o t e c t do rcas g a z e l l e s acd t h e j r h a b i t a t . S i n c e t h e e , o s t rSch acd Europeac daim were i c t r o d u c e d t o t h e r e s e r v e acd have been i c c r e a s i c g i c numbers. The g a z e l l e s , o s t r i c h and daim a r e t o o numerous t o be suppor ted by t h e c a t ~ r a l v e g e t a t i o c , s o s m a l l i r r i g a t e d gardec p l o t s a r e c a l t S v a t e d t o prodace a l f a l f a acd o t h e r f o r a c e .

A cumber of ac ima l s ( m o s t l y roc -ca t ive ) a r e k e p t i c a s m a l l zoo a t a corn-er of t h e r e s e r v e t o p rov ide p ~ b l i c educa t ioc acd a r e c r e a t i o c a r e a . The a d j a c e c t moacta ic i s a l s o p r o t e c t e d from h u c t i c g acd g r a z i c g , b u t l i t t l e a c t i v e m a c a ~ e m e ~ t i s do re .

5.4.13. Dar Chichou Managed Reserve 100 ha

I c 1964 a res f -ve was c r e a t e d e t Dar Chichoc o r t h e Cap Boc pec i c su l a . The 3 remaicicg female I c h k e u l b ~ f f a l o ( s e e S e c t j o c 2.4) were brozght t o t h e r e se rve acd a c I t a l i a c n a l e b u f f a l o was i n p o r t e d t o s t a r t a b r eed icg progran. The program was s u c c e s s f A acd a s m a l l herd was r e t a l c e d a t Dar Chichod whec t h e r e s t o f t h e b;ffalr, were r e i c t r o d ~ c e d t o I c h k e z l X.P. E c o p e a c d a i m a r f a l s o k e p t jr t h e r e s e r v e .

5.4.:4. Proposed Biosphere Reserve a t J e c e i c - Oued Ouci 360 ,000 ha

A l a r g e a r e a of S ~ b d e s e r t i c C o c t i c e c t a l S t eppe ( ~ e c t i o c 3.5.4) sou th of Remada has beer. recommecded t o be e s t a b l i s h e d a s a Biosphere Reserve. The a r e a c o c t a i c s a v a r i e t y of d e s e r t f l o r e acd f azna t h r e a t e c e d by c a l t i v a t i o c , ove rg raz i cg acd d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c . S josphe re Reserves a r e c o t s t r i c t r e s e r v e s t h r o u g h o ~ t , s o a v a r i e t y of p r o j e c t s des igced t o e r cou rage s e r s i b l e l acd use acd combat d e s e r t i f i c a t i o c should be implemected. Cur rec t ly t h e p r o j e c t i s rc?t a h igh p r i o r i t y of t h e F o r e s t r y D i r e c t o r a t e .

6. SU!<!$ARY OF PRIORITY COMSEEVATIOK NEEDS

Althoigh t h e Govercmect of T c c j s i a acd c o c s e r v a t i o c o r g a c i z a t i o c s ( c a t i o c a l acd i c t e r c a t i o c a l ) have beec workicg towards p r o t e c t i o c acd echaccemect o f b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y f o r many y e a r s , t h e r e a r e s t i l l a g r e a t r ~ m b e r o f e c v j r o c m e c t a l problems i c ceed o f a c t i o n . The f o l l o w i c g o , t l i ~ e of recommecded a c t i o c s i s p r i o r i t i z e d i c r e l a t i o c t o t h e p r e s e r v a t i o r o f b i o l o g j c a l d i v e r s i t y acd t r o p i c a l f o r e s t s . ( u ) d e c o t e s u r g e r t problems t h a t w i l l sooc r e s c l t i c a c a t i o n a l l y s i g r i f i c a c t l o s s o f b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y i f a c t i o n i s c o t t a k e c ; (VU) d e c o t e s ve ry s r g e c t problems t h a t sho;ld be g i v e c t o p p r i o r i t y ; (N) d e c o t e s ceeded a c t i o c s t o m a j c t a i c t h e c z r r e r t b i logical d i v e r s i t y ; acd ( D ) i c d j c a t e s d e s i r a b l e a c t l o r s t o er-hacce t h e r - a t i o r a l b i o l o e j c a l d i v e r s i t y .

"his l i s t i s by co meacs complet,e. There a r e cumerozs o t h e r p r o j e c t s szggested 1r. t h e t ex t . ~ f t h i s d3c~mec t . a rd recomnecded by o t h e r soc rce s . The o b j e c t he r e i s t o ~ i v e a c o ~ t l i ~ e o f p r o j e c t s t h a t coz ld acd s k ~ ; l d be s t a r t e d j nnedS a t e l g , o r6 w ~ z l d have t a c g j b l e r e s c l t s f o r j n p 3 r t a c t f a c c a , f l ~ r e acd ec3sgs te r?s . : l a t i o c a l cocse rva t j . oc acd ecv i rocmec ta l ed. icat . ioc p r i o r i t i e s may d i f f e r .

A c t i s r shozld be t a k e r o r t h e fo l l owicg s z b j e c t s :

F lo r a

1 . Icver- tory of K a t i o c a l F l o r a ( N ) : IJeeded t 3 complete b a s e l i c e d a t a acd geret:c r e so - r ce i r f o r ~ a t i o c ba se , f o r Lse i c c o c s e r v a t i o c p l acc ing and r e sea rch . I t w ; l d be d e s i r a b l e t o i c c l u d e a s p e c i e s iise assessmeet acd s t a t ~ s r e p o r t i c t h e i c v e c t g r y . I f a complete i c v e c t o r y i s c o t p o s s i b l e , a f l = r a chec:i:lSst sb3;ld be nade.

2. Es tab l i shmec t o f N a t i o n a l Herbarium (D) : Can be done d c r i c g i c v e c t o r y .

3. C r e a t i o c o f B o t a c i c Gardens (D) : Ecab l e s g e c e t i c reso.;rce p r o t e c t i o c ard r e sea rch .

1 . Improvemect o f Law Ecforcement C a p a b i l i t i e s ( u ) : More and b e t t e r equipped gane warders cards de ~ h a s s e ' a r e needed. Eqcipmect needed ir.cli;des : - Veh ic l e s - Obse rva t i oc eq-i j pmect - C o n n ~ c j c a t i o c s eq.iipmect

2. Coc t ro l o f I l l e g a l Trade ( N ) : I c c l ~ d e s s t r i c g e c t e c f o r c e n e c t of CITES e . - ; , ,jel: ,- .es ar.d c3 r . t r o l of l o c a l ' s o ~ k ' (marke t ) commerce i c w i l d l j f e ~ r o d z c t s .

N a t i o c a l Pa rks acd Rese rves

1. I nc r ea sed Fucdicg (N): P r o t e c t e d a r e a s s h o ~ l d r e c e i v e h i g h e r p r i o r i t y 5 c bsdge t placr- j re. Fir-acci e l c eeds i c c l z d e : - Opera t i ce b_dge t s f o r each park - S a l a r i e s f o r o r - s i t e s t a f f - Zqsipmect f z c d s : v e h i c l e s , e d m i c i s t r a t i o r acd macagemert equipment

2. Improved P u b l i c Access (D) : To promote e r v i r o r m e c t a l a w a r e r e s s each park sho;;ld have: - E d ~ c a t i o c p rog rans - Toar i sn promotioc - Improved a c c e s s r o a d s acd f a c i l i t i e s

Ecosysten P r o t e c t ? o r

. Coas t a l Zoces: A . P 0 l ? i t i 3 r . C O ~ : T ~ ? : - Upgradt p 3 l l ~ t i o r c o c t r 3 1 l e g i s l a t i 3 r - Strecgther . e r fo r ce rne r t - Frovf d e t ~ c h ~ c l o g g a rd neacs t 3 co;sy,ly w i th l e e i s l a t i a r . t o major

p o l l - t i o r - s o u r c e s ( chen . i c d i s t r i e s , p u b l i c sewage K t r a s h systems'

B. Coral C3aot ( X I : - St-2g e x t = ~ t a rd i n p e c t s of c 3 r a l h z r v e s t j c g

C. G A Y o f Gtibes ( i i ) : - P r o t e c t i o r of Kce j s s i c t e r t i d a l zoce ( ? r e f e r a b l v a s a Ransar s i t e )

2. G a l i t e I s l a c d : - ( u ) !:ock s e z l s t ~ t . . i ~ r e p o r t a d c r o t e c t i o c measures - (!!) I cc r ee sed g r o t e c t i o r of mar i r e fa3xe

Wetlacds: A . Lake I c h k e ~ l (vu): The f o l l o ~ i c g a m e l i o r a t i o r p r o j e c t s have beec proposed, b ~ t fxicds f s r i n p l e m e r t a t i o c a r e l a c k i c e . - F i l l t h e c a r ~ l i r t h e Djosn ice marsh - Cocs t r . i c t e wate r c o c t r o l s l . ~ i c e a r d over f low we i r a t O ~ e d T i n j a - Release wa te r from r e s e r v o i r s whec l a k ~ l e v e l i s below 10 cm ASL - Decide o r f i r a l c o c s e r v a t j o r s t r a t e g y (may i c v o l v e d e c r e a s i n g l a k e

a r e a by 20-35s)

B. Sebkhet Ke lb l a ( u ) : - I c i t i a t e a p r9gran f o r wa te r r e l e a s e fro^ upstream r e s e r v o i r s

C. Dar Fats,a Bog ( I : ) : - Des igca t i oc a s a P r o t e c t e d Reserve - Ferce m a j c t e c e r c e - Cor.>lete f l s r a acd fa.;ci s t ;??

3. C - e d Essec ( 3 ) : - Des l j ca t i o r . a s a P r ~ ~ e c t e d :€serve f o r corserva t5or . e d ~ c e t j o r

4. Mouataies: A. Boi Korc i re G.P.: See a l s o Recomnecdations f o r P a r t 11. - (c) I c s t a l l f o r e s t p r o t e c t i o c f ecce by Hammam L i f - (1:) I c c r e a s e rnacagemert c a p a c i t y throcgh p r o v i s i o c of equipmect acd

v e h i c l e s ( t o t a l proposed park budget i s approx. 175,000 Dica r s ) - ( D ) I c i t i a t e ecv i romec ta l e d ~ c a t j o c program, i n c l a d i c e a c ecomssecm

(app rox jna t e c o s t 60,000 T u n i s i a c D j n a r s ) ecd t r a i l s - (D) I c c r e a s e f a m a d i v e r s i t y t h r o ~ g h r e i c t r o d u c t i o c s f a z c a former ly

fo.xd i c t h e park (aoudad, C w i e r ' s g a z e l l e s )

B. E l Fe id j a (D): - Upgradicg o f s t a t ~ s a r d maaagemect t o t h a t of Na t iona l Park

C. 3 j e b f l I c h k ~ ~ l (D): - Removal o f t h e q z 6 r r l e s

D. D teb f l Zaghc,ar. ( 2 ) : - I c c r e a s e z ~ d :pyrs?e p ro t ec t io r .

5 . Steppes : X. Art:-desert:fS ca t io r . (vE): 1mplecer.t t h ~ K a t l o c ~ l Acti-

d f s e r t 5 f5 c a t i g r Ctretec;y (Uc . hgr . 1985); e s p e c i a l l y : - I r c r e a s e d;re s t b b i l i z a t i a c , e r o s i 3 c c o r t r o l acd r e f o r e s t a t i 3 c - ImFrovf r a c c e naragemert acd a g r i c ~ ? t , r a l p r a c t i c ~ s

3. 39; :'=dm2 ;!.?.(::): - I c c r e a s e A.czcSa r a d d i a r a savacca p r o t c c t i o c acd propagat ioc

C . P r c ! p s e f l n e e e r t ! :a t iocal Park ( D ) : - Dfslgr.ctior- c f a r e a a s a c a t i o c a l park - Eq-iip f o r proper n z ~ a g e m e c t ( e s t i n a t e d i c i t i a l c o s t : US 66,000)

PART I1

TROPICAL FORSSTS

Before t h e o l igocece e r a t h e c l i m a t e of T u c i s i a was t r o p i c a l ( ~ 1 - Hamrouci 1978). F o s s i l f l o r a a t I c h k e d c o c s i s t s of 265 t r o p i c a l e l emec t s , such a s :

S a l j x c a c a r i e r s i s Cassia sp.

Sap icdus sp . P i t t o spo -un sp.

Diiricg t he epoch of t he Capsiecce c i v i l i z a t i 3 c , : 5 ,300 g e a r s ag3, ! h c j s i a s t i l l had 1 ~ x ; r j a i s a b x d a r t v e g e t a t i 3 c t h a t s ~ p p o r t . e d mar? s p e c l e s of ac imels t h a t a r e co l a r g e - f o x d i r . Af r i ca ro - th of t h e Sahara f c c l u d i c g e l e p h a c t s , rhinocg-aes, l i o r s a rd b e a x ( 3 i r . For . : 376) .

Chacgirg c l i m a t e s , i r c l u d i r g t h e pe r i ods of t h e g ~ e s t g l a c j a t i o r s , brought nary F ' ed i t e r r aceac , Saha ra r acd Fliropear e l e n e r t s acd ever. some bo rea l e l emer t s t o t h e f o r e s t f l o r a . The l a s t g r e a t c l ima te charge was 7000 y e a r s ago. S i cce t h a t t ime , n o s t of t h e cha rges Sc f o r e s t e r ea a rd s p e c i e s comp3si t i3r have bee r c e ~ s e d by mar.

The p r e s e c t c l ima te ard domicect f o r e s t s p e c i e s a x Ked i t e r r aceac , b a t theye a r e s t i l l some t-ee acd s h r i b s p e c i e s w i th t r o p i c a l a f f i c i t i e s . Two primsly remcar t s of t h e t x p i c a l f o r e s t s a r e thuya C a l l i t - i s a ~ t i c i i l a t a a rd Chamae-ops h u n l l i s ; o t h e r s i r c l a d e ( ~ e ~ e - i m h o f f r

Z i z y p h ~ s ( t h e gecGs i c g e c e ~ a l ) Rhus sp . Acacia ~ a d d i a r a ( ~ a h a - o - t r o p i c e l ) Myrtus conmuci s P e r i p l n c a l a e v i g a t a " Jasnicum f r ~ t i c a c s E ~ i c a c e a e s ( ~ r i c a a-borea g r w s i r L y c i ~ n SF

sub-Saharec Af ri c e ) F i c x s c a r i c a ( i c t r o d a c e d )

Of t he above s p e c i e s , oc ly th;ya acd Acacia r a d d i a r a a r e t x e r a t i v e t r e e s p e c i e s , a rd n e i t h e ~ form what ~ o i l d be cocs ide red t r o p i c a l f o r e s t s by mary d e f i c i t i o r s . However, a cco rd i cg t o t h e d e f i c i t i o r used f o r FAA amerdments 118 acd :19 ( s t a t e Cable 7183241, 1967) t r o p i c a l f o r e s t s i n c l u d e " a l l t r e e acd woody s h ~ u b fo rma t ions , whethe? opec o r c l o s e d , o c c u r r i r g i c humid, subhumid O Y semi-arid u ~ l a c d s o r lowlards". Roughly t h e r o ~ t h e x 25: of T ~ c i s i a i s i r t h e ab3ve b i o c l i m a t e s , so the-e a r e about 4 rn i l l i oc ha t h a t coa ld s c p p o r t ' I t - op i ca l f o - e s t s " by the above d e f i r i t i o c . Kzch of t h a t l a r d i s c u l t i v a t e d , developed o r occupied by s t eppe v e g e t a t i o c , bu t t h e r e aY? c.680,000 ha w i th woody v e g e t a t i o c (D i r . For. 1976). Spec i e s i c those a r e a s j c c l ~ d e t h a s e p r e v i o ~ s l y mectioced n i t h t t r p i c a l a f f : r i t l e s ( excep t r a d d l a ~ a , whlch occd-s 5r a r i d a r e a s ) acd a l l 3f t he n a j o r f o r e s t spec! e s -"edi t e r - a r e z r elerr.er.ts).

, PART I1

2. FOREST TYPES

Ic t h e azea coccerced theye aye 368,000 ha o f t r u e c a t ~ r a l fo -e s t (domicated by t r e e s p e c i e s ) , bu t less t h a c 270,000 ha a r e ic good c o n d i t i o c . The remainder of t h e 680,000 ha i e Occupied by a r t i f i c i a l f o r e s t ( p l a n t a t i o c s ) acd "maquis" (woody sh rub f ormat iocs) . Major f o r e s t t y p e s i nc lude :

A . C a l l i t r i s a r t i c u l a t a ( t h u y a ) c.30,000 ha

T h ~ y a i s a SW Medi te r raceac s p e c i e s a lmost endemic t o North Afr ica . Apart from t h e Magh-eb ( ~ i c i s i a , A l g e r i a , ~ o r o c c o ) t h e r e a-e oc ly r a r e s t a c d s i c SE S p a i c acd Kal ta . Optimum growth o c c u r s i c Semi-arid b ioc l ima te s w i th a mari t ime i c f l u e c c e acd 400 - 500 mm a r n u a l ~ a j s f a l l . Ic T u c i s i a , thuya i s d i s t r i b a t e d c o r t h of a l j n e from Ecfida t o t h e e a s t of Yedjez e l Bab. Th i s i r c l u d e s t h e soilth p a r t o f Cap Roc acd t h e n o r t h e a s t p a r t of t h e T u c i s i a c Dor sa l mouctain r a n e e , iip t o T e b o ~ ~ b a acd Sbikha. Cap Boc i s t h e e a s t e r c l i m i t o f t h e r a c g e of t h i y a ir North Af r i ca . As t h e wooded a r e a s of Malta a r e p ~ o g r e s s i v e l y e l i m i c a t e d , t h e 30,000 ha of th"ya i c T ~ c i s i a t h a t a-e i s o l a t e d f-om othe- s t a c d s i c Alge-ia become i c c r e a s i c g l y impo-tact t o t h e r acge o f t h i s remcact t r o p i c a l s p e c i e s . Of t ec g-owicg i n a s s o c i a t i o c w i th thaya a r e othe- s p e c i e s with t r o p i c a l a f f i c i t j e s , such a s :

Chanae-ops h u m i l i s (dwarf palm) M y r t ~ s commucis

B. Qce-cus sube r (co-k oak) c.80,000 ha

Th i s Vest K e d i t e r r a c e a r s p e c i e s i s foucd i c P o r t u g a l , I t a l y acd t h e Eagh-eb. Co-k oak grows b e s t i c a r e a s w i th l i g h t , h e a t acd acc;al r a i n f a l l g ~ e a t e r t h a c 800 mm. Ic T u c i s i a i t i s most c o m o c o r warn s l o p e s i c t h e Kh-o~mirie/lrlogod m o ~ c t a j c c h a i r s of t h e northwest. ~ e g i o r . , but t h e ~ e a r e a l s o sma l l stacds at Djebel S e r d j , D j . Tebou-souk and Cap B3z. Fzom ar. o y i g i n a l racge of 130,000 ha t h e r e a r e now l e s s thar. 55,000 ha of pyime cork oak f o r e s t - a 6 6 r e d u c t i o c ( D ~ F . For. :976). Ic t h e past t r e e s were harves ted f o r ra i l -oad t i e s , mice t imbeze arid cha-coal. Oaks a r e s t i l l c u t f o r t imber , bu t h a r v e s t j c g is much b e t t e r c o r t r o l l e d . Cork i s hazvested f-om mat;-e t r e e s every 10-12 y e a r s and t a c n i c e bark is obta iced from o l d e r t r e e s . Acorns a-e c o l l e c t e d fo- domest ic cocsumptioc acd l i v e s t o c k feed . Associated s p e c i e s w i t h t r o p i c a l a f f i n i t i e s icc l i lde :

Chamaerops humi l j s Kyrtus communis E-ica ( 3 s p e c i e s )

C. Q u e r c ~ s c a c a r i e c s i s (Zen oak) c.10,000 ha pure

Z E ~ oak i s c a t i v e t o P o r t u g a l , Spa in and t h e Maghreb. The b e s t growicg c o c d i t i o c s q r e a t a l t i t u d e s h i g h e r t h a c 700m oe deep s o i l s . Cool, mois t r a v i n e s wi th c o r t h e r c exposures may c o n t a i c z e c oak dour. t o s e a l e v e l . Ic T u c i s i a i t grows i n t h e most humid eoces of t h e Khroumirie mouctaics , e s p e c t a l l y n e a r t h e A lge r i an border . There a r e c.30,000.ha mixed wi th cork oak i n a d d i t i o n t o t h e pure s t a n d s . Zec oak produces b e t t e r t imber t h a c cork oak and t h e r e f o r e h a s been h e a v i l y exp lo i t ed i n t h e p a s t . Ryr tu s conmucis i s commonly found i n t h e u c d e ~ s t o r y .

D. Ouercus a f a r e s Groves

T h i s r a r e s p e c i e s i s a North Af r i ca ecdemic whose major d i s t r i b u t i o c is i c A lge r i a ( :2,000 ha) . Optimum growicg c o n d i t i o c s a r e foucd i c Humid b i o c l i n a t e s above 900 m a l t i t c d e . There a r e some groves i c T u c i s i a a t E l Yeid ja , E l Chorra acd Aic Zaca, which a r e p robab ly v e s t i g e s of a c a c c i e c t Q ~ E T C ~ S a f a - e s f o r e s t (~1-Hamrouci 1978).

E. 3 2 ~ ~ ~ 2 s ilex (holm oak) Groves acd mixed

R a t i v ~ t o t h e c e c t r a l acd w e s t e x Med i t e r r aceac b a s i c , holm oak i s conmocly f o x d a t a l t i t 2 d e s h i g h e r t h a c 900 m. Ic T u c i s i a i t o f t e c assumes a b ~ s h - l i k e physiogr.omy acd grows i c a l eppo p ine donicated f o r e s t s , bu t t r e e s 6-8 in t a l l do e x i s t . There a r e some smal l pure s t a c d s a t E l Eelda ( c 3 r t h of Ghardimaod) and o r mountaic t ops . Ic t h e e a r l y 7900s t h e r e u e r e c.20,000 ha of holm oak domieated f o r e s t (D i r . For. 1 9 3 ) . Ha rves t i cg f o r fuelwood r e s u l t e d i c t h e l o s s of macy of t h e pure s t a r d s acd i c c r e a s e d e r o s i o c .

F. Q u e r c a s c o c c i f e ~ a ( k e m e s oak)

Racges from Por tuga l t o Greece acd Forocco t o S y r i a . Growicg b e s t i n Sub-h.imid, t e n p e r a t e zoces ( b u t foucd i c Humid t o Semi-arid zoces) w i th mari t ime i n f l a e r c e , i t u s u a l l y i s o c l y 1-3 m t a l l . Occurs i c Tur3si.a i c f r o s t - f r e e c o a s t a l maquis from Tabarka t o Hammanet and i c l a c d oc Djebe l Macsour acd D j . Teboursouk.

G. - P i c u s p i c a s t e r (mar i t ime p i c e ) c .5000 ha

Ic T u c i s i a , m a r i t i n e p i c e only grows n a t u r a l l y betweec Tabarka acd A l g e r i a , bu t i t has bee r p l a c t e d i c macy c o a s t a l a r e a s . Ic c a t u r a l s t a c d s i t i s o f t e r i c a s s o c i a t i o r . wi th cork oak. The former racge was OveF :0,000 ha , biit a d e c i s i o c t o c u t a l l t r e e s g r e a t e r t h a c 1 m ic diameter i c t h e earl:; :300s -educed t h e q u a l i t y acd a r e a of t h e f o r e s t s .

H. P i n u s h a l i p e c s i s ( a l eppo p i n e )

Aleppo p i n e i s t h e f o r e s t t r e e w i th t h e l a r g e s t a r e a i c Tuc i s i a . I t grows a c r o s s t h e count -y , bu t is most comnoc i c t h e T a n i s i a c Dorsal mo&cta ics where t h e ancua l r a j c f a l l i s 400 - 600 mm acd t h e b ioc l ima te i s Semi-arid o r Arid. Cond i t i ons a r e most f a v o r a b l e n e a r Kaase r i ce , and i c t h e High T e l l r e a r Le Kef. The p r e s e n t a r e a covered is on ly one-fourth of t h e ca tu-a1 r acge of a leppo p ine . Most o f t h e r e d u c t i o n is due t o human p r e s s u r e f o r fuelwood, t imbe r , a g r i c u l t u r a l l a n d acd g r a z i c g a r e a s . Ir t h e c o r t h e a s t e x pa-t o f i t s Facge, a l eppo p i n e o f t e e grows i n a s s o c i a t i o c wi th E r i c a m i i l t i f l o r a . -

I . Cupressus sempe-yirecs f . cumj d i c e ( ~ a k t a r cyp re s s ) Groves

Yaktar cyp re s s i s c o r s i d e r e d endemic t o T u c i s i a , bu t the-e a r e some do.;Sts ~ e g a r d i c g i t s t x i e o - ig i c . There a r e on ly t h r e e sma l l n a t u r a l s t a r d s growicg i c the Kesse-a fo - e s t o f t h e T u c i s i a c Do-sal m o ~ n t a i c r a r g e , b - t i t has been widely p l an t ed i n w i n d b ~ e a k s .

O the r f o r e s t s p e c i e s i n c l u d e a s h F r a x i n ~ s a c ~ u s t i f o l i a , elm Ulmus c a m ~ e s t r i s , a l d e r Alcus g l a t i c o s a and aspen Popu la s a l b a acd P. n i g r a . These s p e c i e s a-e connonly foacd a long r i v e r s i n a s s o c i a t i o c wi th p i c e o r oak f o - e s t s . Small s t a r d s of r a r e Moctpe l ie - maple - mocs~essulanum grow a t t h e s u r m i t s of Djebe l Zaghouac, D j . Bargou acd D j . S e r d j i c t h e T u r i s i e r D o ~ s a l .

Deg-aded f o r e s t s a r e o f t e c vege t a t ed by maquis of sh rubs a rd low t r e e s . I c t h e n o r t h , h e a t h e r E r i c a sp. forms a f a i r l y l a z g e p-oport ioc of t he u n d e r s t o r y of cork oak f o r e s t s . Vhec t h e oak i s removed a maquis of heathe: yenairs acd icc-eases ic decsity. A commoc maqcis association on ho t e x p o s i t i o c s ic s~bhomid t o a r i d b i o c f i m a t e s i s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by:

Olea europaea (w i ld o l i v e ) P i s t a c i a l e n t i s c u s Ce-atocia s i l i q u a ( ca rob ) Jasmicum f r d t i c a c s

Wild o l i v e and ca-ob a r e catego-ized a s N e d i t e r r a n e a c e l emer t s ( ~ l Han-ouri 1978) wi th t r o p i c a l a f f i n i t i e s ( ~ e ~ e r i m h o f f 1941) . The a s s o c i a t i o r . i s f o ~ ~ d i r Sabhumid t o Arid b i o c l i m a t e s where t h e y e a r l y r a i c f a l l i s from 200 t o 800 m.

Degraded a l eppo p i ce f o - e s t s o f t e r . s a p p o r t a m a q ~ i s of Juc ipe rus o x y c e d x s a rd - J . p h o e ~ j c j a or. h igh s l o p e s and summits OF rosemayy Rosna-lr,s o f f j c j c a l i s o r t h e s l o p e s and 1 o w l a r . d ~ . There a r e c.300,000 ha of rosena-y m a q ~ i s i r T ~ r i s i a , o f t e ~ mjxed w i t h o t h e r f o r e s t a s s o c i a t i o c s .

3. STATUS OF TUNISIAN FORESTS

Ocly 3% of t h e coc-deser t a r e a of T u c i s i a i s covered by f o r e s t s . Evec i f maquis a r e i cc luded t h e r e i s s t i l l only 6% covezage, which makes Tun i s i a one of t h e Mediterranean f o r e s t s p o o r e s t i n f o r e s t s ( ~ i z . For. 1986). The optimum f o r e s t covezage f o r a coun t ry i s 20% ( ~ 1 - ~ a m z o u c i 1978). To a t t a i c t h a t l e v e l would r e q u i r e masstve r e f o r e s t a t i o n e f f o r t s on 2,000,000 ha of l a c d . Obviously t h i s i s a c ex t r eme ly d i f f i c u l t g o a l t o r each , e s p e c i a l l y s i n c e t h e tzend has a c t u a l l y beec toward d e f o z e s t a t i o c .

A gove -mee t s tudy ( ~ i r . For. 1984) zepo r t ed 108,000 ha conducive t o r e f o r e s t a t i o c i c c o r t h e r n T u n i s i a , o f which o c l y 56,000 ha aze t r i l y l i k e l y t o produce s u c c e s s f ~ l z e s u l t s fzom p l a c t i c g . The y e s t of t h e a r e a s a v a i l a b l e f o r r e f o r e s t a t i o n aze e i t h e - h e a v i l y g ~ a z e d , s a l i c e oz d e s e r t i c .

Ir. 1910 f o r e s t s cove-ed 1 ,250 ,000 h a , b ~ t by 7975 t h e a r ea was reduced t o 500,000 ha. Ic t h e Nogod mo.ict.aics o r e - t h i r d of t h e fo-es t cove- was removed i c 10 y e a x wi th d i s a s t -02s cocsequecces f o r s o i l cocse rva t ion . FIuch of t h i s l o s s car. be a t t r i b z t e d t o t h e massive fo -e s t h a ~ v e s t i c g o p e r a t i o c s d~:ir.g t h e co loc i . a l per iod acd i c a c c i i r a t e s-rvey methods. Howeve?, betweec :975 acd :985 a c a d d i t i o z a l r e d u c t i o c of 132,000 ha occi;??ed - a r a t e of ove- 73,OOC ha pe- yea-. A t t h e c u r r e e t r a t e , t h e f o r e s t s of T ~ c i s i a coiild d i s a p p e a ~ i c l e s s t h a c a cec t - ry .

Cazses of d e f o r e s t a t i o c i c c l u d e poo- t i m b e r ha -ves t i cg p z a c t i c e s , e ros ior . , c l e a r i c g fo- a g ~ i c c l t u r e acd g r a z i c g l a r d s and c o c s t a c t p-essure f o r f o r e s t p r o d u c t s , sach a s fuelwood acd f o r a g e . A t Djebel Semmama, i c t h e Ti lc i s iac Do-sal, 775 of t h e y e a r l y f o r e s t p r o d u c t i o c d i s a p p e a ~ s t o l o c e l z e s i d e x t s ( ~ 1 - ~ a m r o a i 1978) . k c e s t i m a t e d 7,336,000 cubic me te r s per y e a r (OIJUPAA :985) a r e reeded t o s z p p l y t h e n a t i o c a l demacd f o r wood (87% of which i s fuelwood). The p o t e c t j a l s u s t a i c a b l e p r o d ~ c t j o c of 485,000 ha of c a t - r a l a rd a r t i f i c i a l f o r e s t Is o n l y 4 .45 of t h e t o t a l demacd .

Ic 7984 a t o t a l o f 2,817,000 n' o r 38s of t h e e s t ima ted demacd was t a k e r from t h e f o r e s t s , i ~ d i c a t i c g a d e f i c i t i c a c c u a l f o r e s t p roduct ioc . 3 Ac a d d i t i o c a l 360,000 m was imported (FAO 1996) t o meet t h e denand f o r i c d u s t r i a l wood, which s t i l l l e f t 595 of t h e fuelwood demacd urmet. A demacd of t h a t maccitude i c v a r i a b l y r e s u l t s i n widesp-ead mau thoz i zed fuelwood c o l l e c t i o n acd f o ~ e s t d e g ~ a d a t i o c . Othe- f o r e s t pzoducts harves ted i c 1984 i n c l u d e :

Cork 7 ,403 ,000 kg Rosemary 58 ,000 ha Kyrtiis comnilcis 9 , 0 0 0 ha Cape-s 4 , 5 0 0 ha Seeds ( ? i c e ) 32 ,000 kg Dwarf palm > 353 t o e s F e a t h e r ( ~ ~ i c a sp? uckcowr.

Betweec 1890 and 1973, 2.7 m i l l i o c ha of g r a z i c g lands we-e put ucdez c u l t i v a t i o n , fozcicg h e ~ d e r s t o b r l cg t h e 5 r l i v e s t o c k t o the f o r e s t s t o gzaze ( ~ i z . For. 1976). Aftez the t z e e s o r shrubs have beec cu t , i c t e c s j v e g raz icg by domestic l ives tock d i s r u p t s t h e regecera t ioc process. Grazicg a l s o occars ic u m u s tands , s topping t h e n a t u r a l replacement of old acd dyicg t ~ e e s . I n 1976 more thac 50% of t h e pine acd oak were of d e c l i c i c g age; t h e r e f o r e , 20 - 5% should have been regenerated.

From 1962 t o 1984 a c average of 9400 ha/yeaz were planted (OMJPAA l985) , but t h i s p r a c t i c e has beec chacging t h e f o r e s t spec ies composition and still f a l l s s h o r t of the d e f o r e s t a t i o n r a t e . Trees commonly se lec ted f o r p l a c t i n g a r e f a s t g-owing noc-cative s p e c i e s of eacalyptus , acacia acd pice. Some species na t ive t o Tunisia a r e p l a c t e d , but o f t en t h i s is doce outs ide the coma1 racge of t h e spec ies .

4. FOREST PROTECTION

A c u x e c t po l i cy of t h e Fo re s t ? D i y e c t o r a t e i s t o d e s i g r a t e 20dn o f a l l f o r e s t s a s r e g e n e r a t i o n f o r e s t s , t h u s p r o h i b i t i n g g r a z i c g and h a r v e s t i n g of f o y e s t products . R e f o r e s t a t j o r or, p u b l i c l a r d s i s beir,g i c c r e a s e d t o i cc -ease t h e h a 3 e s t a b l e r e s o u r c e and t o c o r t r o l e r o s i o c . Ic a d d i t i o n , law 66-256 o f 23 December 1986 r e q u j r e s t h a t a t l e a s t % of t h e a r e a o f each p r i v a t e p rope r ty be r e f o r e s t e d . While t h e s e p o l i c i e s and laws m e good i c theo ry , t h e a c t u a l r e s u l t s have f a l l e r sho-t o f t h e i r g o a l due t o f i c a c c i a l , a d m i n i s t r a t i v e , demographic acd s o c i o l o g i c a l problems.

Ic o r d e r t o cocserve some o f t h e i m p o r t a c t f o r e s t a r e a s acd thei : a s s o c i a t e d f l o r a acd f a m a , seve-a1 r e s e r v e s a r d r a t i x a l parks have bee r e s t a b l i s h e d . Those p ro t ec t ed a r e a s a r e d i s c u s s e d i r S e c t l o r 5.4 of Pa-t I ( ~ i o l o g i c a l D i v e r s i t y survey of T a i s i a ) .

The ' t r o p i c a l fo -e s t s ' of T a r i s i a co;ld be imp-ovei 3- p x t e c t s d by a s s i s t i r g w i th p l a r r i c g , t r a i c j n g , equipmer t acd s t a f f i r the a-eas o f :

Re fo -e s t a t i oc ( icc-eased yea-ly p l a ~ t i c g of app-opr ia te s p e c i e s )

P r o p e r f o r e s t macaqenert ( p l a c c i c g , p ~ o t e c t i o r , fo-est. improvement p r a c t i c e s )

S p e c i e s s e l e c t i o r ( p l a c t i c g s p e c i e s compa t ib l e w i t h t he r a t u r a l ecosystems)

Upgradicg p r o t e c t i o c of rese-ves a r d p a r k s ( s e e b i o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y a r c e x ) . Of s p e c i a l i c t e r e s t i c regard t o t r o p t c a l f o r e s t s i s Boz K o r r i r e N a t i o c a l P a r k , which i s domirated by thuya f o r e s t s . A Gece-a1 Maragement P l a r acd budget have beer proposed, biit r o t implemerted due t o l a c k of f i r a c c e s .

GLOSSARY

Anatid - S i r d s of t h e Anatidae fami ly ; s p e c i f i c a l l y , swans, geese a rd ducks.

Archipelago - A g - o ~ p of i s l a c d s .

ASL - Above Sea Level ; used i r p l a c e of FGT ( ~ i v e a u General de ~ u n i s i e ) .

Djebe l - The a r a b i c t e r n f o r mour t a i r .

Ca r r lgue - The f r e r c h t e r n f o r opec, low b r u s h f i e l d s composed of woody p l a r t s o f t e c l e s s t h a c 50 co t a l l .

Halophl le - S a l t t o l e - a c t p l a c t s .

Halophyte - P l a r t s wi th high s a l t cxcec t , : a t j ocs i c t h e l ? l eaves .

Herpetofauna ( a l s 3 f ie rpss ) - R e p t i l e s acd amphib iacs .

Hygrophile - P1act.s t h a t g?ow or. wet s o i l s .

Maghreb - The a ~ a b i c tg-n fo- t h e r e g i o c o f No-th Af r i ca i c c l u d i c g Mohcco, A l g e ~ i a a rd T,cis ia .

Maquis - The f ~ e c c h t e y . f o ? decse b z u s h f l e l d s d o n i r a t e d by small t r e e s 07

s h ~ u b s fzon 2 t o 5-8 n t a l l .

N i t r o p h i l e - P l a c t s t h a t ow best. o r s o i l s wi th h igh c l t z o g e c coccec t r a t i o c s .

O l e a - l e c t i s c u s f o n n a t i o r - A p l a c t a s s o c i a t i o c dominated by europaea acd P i s t e c i a l e r t i s c z s .

Oued - The a z a b i c tezm f o ~ r i v e ? .

S i r o c c 6 - F o t , d-y w i c d s t h a t o r i g i c a t ~ i c t h e Saha-a.

Sward - Opec a-eas domirated by low woody p l a n t s ; s h o r t e ? and s p a r s e r t h a r i r g a r r i g u e s .

Waders - Bi-ds t h a t feed OR s h o r e l i n e s O F wade i c t o t h e watez; i c c l u d e s b i r d s comnocly c a l l e d sho reb i rds .

Waterfowl - Ic t h i s t e x t t h e t e r n i cc l i i de s most b i z d s t h a t ~ s u a l l y s w i m while f e e d i r . ~ : Acat ids , c o o t s , m o o ~ h e c s , e t c .

Xerothermic - P l a r t s t o l e - a c t t o d-y c o c d i t i o c s .

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A N N E X E S

1. Rare, Very Rare acd Endemic ( p a r t i a l ~ i s t i n g ) P l a c t s of T w i s i a 2. Mammals of Tunis ia 3. B i r d s of Tunisia 4. Heil igechafen C r i t e r i a

A N N E X 1

RARE, VERY RARE AND ENDEMIC (PARTIAL LISTING) PLANTS OF TUNISIA

r = Rare v = Very Rare 7 = T i x i s i a Erdemic

TA = T i x i s i a / k l g e r i a Ecdemi c N A = North Af r i ca Ecdemic

NAS = Eor th A f r i c a r Sahara Tndenic S = Sahara !?cdenic A = Alger ia Erdemic

K = Krozmirie C o n r t a i c s M = Mog~d K o x r t a i c s

TD = T u r l s i a r Dorsa l ! l oan ta i r s V Y = Wedjerda v a l l e y CB = Cap Bor. KE = N ~ r t h e a s t T i i c i s i a TC = Cen t r a l T u r i s i a TS = Soc the rc T u c i s i a

ANNEX 1

RAEE, VERY RARE AKD ENDEMIC ( ~ a z t i a l L i s t l n g ) PLANTS OF TUNISIA

S p e c i e s S t a t u s D i s t r i b u t i o n

A b u t i l o c t h e o p h - a s i s Acez morspessulanum A e g i l ~ p s t - i i x c i a l i s Agzopyzoc r e p e c s va-. glaucum A g r o s t i s r e u t e - i A i z q s i s t e r e l l a A juge r e p t a c s A l l j a - i a o f f i c i n a l i s A l o p e c ~ z i s m y o s ~ ~ o i d e s A . p ~ a t e c s l s s s p . b r a c h y s t a c h y s A l t e x r t h e - t i s e s s i l i s A l t h a e e l u d x i g i i A . o f f i c i c a l - s A l y s s a s c ; t l i ; e ~ ~ n b n a x c t h ~ s g y a c i l l i s Anbe-coa c ~ ~ p i r o i a e s va- l y b i c a Acabbs i s a p h y l l a s s p a f ~ i c a c a X%acycl;s v a l e r . t i c s s A c e g a l l i s t e r e l l e A. m ~ r e l l f sse c o l l i c a j . c t i - ~ t i c . ~ ~ b?fv i f 3 l i ~

bed-ocgmb:za g-amire.im krch . i sa a e g y p t c a c a A r d - o p o g o ~ d i s t a c h y u s A c t h s a l s Eoc tEra A . c o t ~ l a Acthoxarth2m g - a c i l e A r t i c c - l a a c - o s t i dea A c t i ? h i c z x ~ a n o s i s s j ocam A c v i l l ~ a 7 a d i a t . a A . F. vz? e z s t x l i s Apera i c t e ~ ~ u p t a A-abls v e r c a A . pa-vula A . p -bescecs A r e r a z i a m a ~ g i c a t a A. g - a n d i f l o - a A r i s t i d a z c i t i f l o ~ a A r t e m e s i s v i l g a - i s AXE-ie s p i c ~ l o s a A ? x i 3 ~ l i c i j asphodel,^ a c a ~ l j s A s y l e r j 2- p e t ~ a - c h a e As te7 t 5 ? D l : v- Ast~?l s c ~ s ~ 7 a v e n l e r . s

K , NE TD TD TD K,TD CBK K K TC K ,TD r< TS TS TD ?: E TS TS TS , TC K NT, TD TC,TS TC , TS TS K ,B! TD TC K ,NE K TS TS TS K TD,K TD K TC TD TS

M TC, NF: TD TD C B TS

Annex 1 ( ~ o n t t n u e d )

S p e c i e s S t a t u s D i s t r i b u t i o n

As t r aga l a s gombiformis A. c r r l c i a t a s s sp . a r i s t j d i s A. f a l c i f o r m i s A . m ~ n s p e s s u l a c u s As t roca rps s sesamoides A t r i p l e x t a t a r i c a A v e l l i r i a m i c h e l i i Avera l ocg ig lumis A . fat i ia

Ea l a r s ea g laber r ima Barbarea v d g a r i s E e l l e v a l i a c i l i a t a Elechc.m s p i c a r t . Bothr iochloa ischaem7m Brach i a r i a m d t i c a Bras s i c s dimorpha Bra s s i ca c r e t i c a s s p a t l a n t i c a B r m z s racernosus s s p commutatus 5. sq-a^. --osi;s 9. i r t 2 r n 2 d . x B - f f o r i a t e ~ c i f o l i a Edci-m c r a s s i f o l i ~ m B i p l e z r i n f ~ d t i cosum B,tom~s a m b e l l a t a s

Calerd;la rnorardi Campackla f i l i c a ~ l i s s s p r eboud iaca C . a t l a c t i c a Cardanice graeca Carex dep re s sa C. f l a c c a v a r eu-glauca C . h o r d e i s t i c h o s C. p a l l e s c e c s C . pseudo-cype.ais Carthanus c a l v a t u s C a r m moctacum Castacea s a t i v a Cec tsarea amara s s p a c g u s t i f o l i a C. a . s sp . r o p a l o r C . c i c e r a r i a v a r gymcocarpa C . e r i opho ra C . s e r i d i s v a r n a r i t i m a C e r t - r c - l a s b r i ~ i m u s C~r t i s t i . im c a e s p i t o s u ~ Cert i tophyll~-n s 2 b m e r s ~ n Chaetorychiz cymosa

TS

M TC C B TS TS

K K TD K N E K TD T K ,TC TD TC,K TD C B v I$ 11

NE, CB T C TS K K C B TD K

TD TD K K NE CB C B TC, TS CE K KT , TS c3

Annex 1 ( ~ o c t i c u e d )

S ~ e c i e s S t a t u s Distri b u t i o c

C h o r d ~ i l l a juccea Chqsacthemum c l a i i soc i s Cicho-ium i r t y b u s ssp . eu - i c tybus va:. g lab-a tun

C i s t u s v i l l o s i i s v a r t a u r i c u s Cleocea l a s i t a c i c a C o l c h i c m ~ i t c h i i C . a ~ t a r n c a l e Cocvavdas cceo:am C . h a i l i s Co-sc i l l a a t l a r t i c a C . v a l e c t i c a s s p p e c t a p h y l l a Co-ycephoxs a - t i c a l a t u s f a s c i c a l a t u s C 3 7 2 2 , r a2di r . j i Coto rea s t e? ~ a c e m i f l o - a C-epis c l a ~ s c c i s C . t c c e t a c a Cryps is z c ~ l e a t a C . s?opec,?oides C t f c o p s i s p e c t i c e l l a C ~ t a c d l e p h i l i s t a e e C y p e x s p o l y s t a c h i ~ s Cyclarec a f ~ i c a c u m C . p e x i c x n Cycos2-is pflt5a:i C . e l e g a c s s s p o b l i q u a t u s ~ ~ s t 3 ~ t e - i ~ f i l i x f r a g i l i s e u - f r a g i l i s r C y t i s z s n o c s p e l i e c s i s r

D a c t y l i s g l ~ c e - a t a va- t y p i c a

Delphicjam b a l a c s a e

D ia r thus r c p i c o l a Dichacthlam a c e a l e t u n D i p l o t a x i s a c - i s D o ~ o c i c u n a t l a r t i c ~ m D o r y c i c i ~ m pertaphyllurn Draba h i s p a r i c a Dyyopte-is f5 l ix-mas I!. 6 c i l f t a D. v i l l a - s j S

Annex 1 ( con t inued )

Spec i e s S t a t u s Distrj b u t i o c

Echium arecar ium E. su f f ru t i cosum E l a t i c e a b s i n a s t r m E. hydropiper v a r peduncula ta Ecceapogon brachys tachyus E. s c a b e r Ephedra major E r a g r o s t i s t r i chophora E r ige roc t r i l o b u s Zrodium pachyrrhizum E. mucbyaccm 2. naritim-m Ecphorbia a l l e p i c a E. amygdaloides v a r b i e c c i s S. e t l a c t i c a 3. b i smbe l l a t a E. paciculata E. sqaamigera Exaculun p s i l l u m

F e l - ~ l a t dce t ana Fes t ;ca pac i cu l a t a F i l ago h e t e r a c t h a s s p cupac i aca F o r e s t i a h a m i l t o c i i F raga r i a vesca Frackec ia corymbosa F. p a l l i d a Fiimaea c a l y c i c a F ~ m a r i a b i c o l o r F. macrosepala F. d e c s i f l o r a ssp . b r a c t e o s a F. p a r v i f l o r a

Galizm pusi l lum G. v e r t i c i l l a t u n Gecis ta s aha rae G . microcephala v a r gecuina G . m. v a r tur,etaca G . u l c i c a Geracium clumbicum G . pyrecaicum Geun urbacum G l i c e s l o t o i d e s Gcaphalium l u t e o - a l b m Ganphocarpus f ~ " t i c o s c s Gocidimoc t a r t a r 5 cum

T C TC K H,CB TC TS TD,TS TC, CB TS K C B CR NE K K , Vi.; K K CB K,M,CB

TC , TS K K TS K TC ,TS TC , TS TD K TD TS TS

TD TD TS

K,CB T D K T C K

TD

Accex 1 ( ~ o c t i c u e d )

Spec i e s S t a t u s D i s t - i b s t i o c

Halogetoc a l o p e c u r o i d e s Hedysa~um humile v a r f o n t a c e s i i Heliacthemum he l i ac themoides H. r o smar i c i fo l ium s s p ehrembergi i H. s a l i c i f o l i u m s s p ictermedium H. vescariciim Helioscacdium inucdatum H e l i o t r o p i m luteum Hemarthria compressa s s p a l t i s s i n a Heteropogoc c o n t o r t i s Hippoczepis hzmide H. micoy s s? . b r e v i p e t a l a Holciis s e t o s u s Hypecoum procumbees s s p duy iae i Hypericzm acdrosaemiirn Hyoscyarnas c i g e r

Iocops j d i m a l b i f lorcm Iyis f o e t i djssma I. s i i bb i f lo ra I . Ucgnlculer i s I. xiphiurn

J a s i o ~ e h a m i l i s Juccus subcodulosus

Kcautia a ~ v e c s i s Koeler ia r o h l f s i j K . s p l ecdecs

Lactaa m u r a l i s L. viminea va- chondrilliflo-a

Lamiiim bifid;im L. mauritacicum Lapsana comrnur.is s s p macrocaypa Lasiopogoc muscoides L a t h y r ~ s accuus L. a r t i c u l a t ~ s s s p eu-clymecum L. b r a c h y o d ~ s L. c i s s o l i a L. cumidicas L. s e t i f o l i u s L. c i g e r Laicaea a r g u s t i f o l i a va? sq;arrosa L. acac thoclada Lava te-a f l a v a L. p x c t a t a L. s t e c o p e t a l a

Annex 1 ( con t inued )

Spec i e s S t a t u s D i s t r i b u t i o c

Lee r s i a hexacdra Leoct ice l eoc tope t a lum Limociastram guyociacum Limocium s p a t h u l a turn L. b o i t a ~ d i L i c a r i a aegyp t i aca s s p b a t t a e d i e r i L. a n e c s i s L. cossoc j L. cymbaleria L. C i s s i t a L. e l a t i r e L. f l a v a L. miro: L. paradoxa L. p e d i x c i l a t a L. p e l l e c e r e r l a L. p i n ~ i f g l i a L. Teflexe vaT. doumeti L. v i -ga ta s s p a l g e - i e c s i s Licyz c o r y m b i f e r a s sp . a r i s t i d e s L. c c q m b i f e z n s sp . 1anbeszr.um Loll-? t emc le r tun Lotiis coc j mbrj c e c s i s L. c r e t i c i s s s p cornmutatus L. d-epacocarpus LzdwiLgia p a l a s t ~ i s Lzz-la campes t r i s Lycopsis o ~ i e c t a l i s Lysiriachia c o i s i r i a c a Ly t h r ~ m cmmalac f ol ium

Magydaris p a r a c i f o l i a Kac t i s a l ca s a l m a c t i c a Ea re s i a malcolmioides Narrubium a s c h e r s o c i i K a r s i l e a aegyp t i aca R a t r i c a r i a t r i d e c t a t a Medicago a r a b i c a E. h i sp jda v a r microdon F!. h. va-. r e t i c u l a t a 1-7. h. va r . b rachyacac tha R. t - b e r c u l a t a Ee l i ca i x i f l o r a 7?e l l l o tu s e l e g a ~ s !!ertha l o q j f o l i s Ko l i c i z c e e x l e a !?olucel lz s p i r o s a

rIJA r NAS v T r r T "

vl?A r v .. . vT v v r N A rT v " . r N A r r " . r .. . .. . r vNA r

v v r N A T r r N A " . " . r r r .. . " . v .. v

Ancex 1 ( c o n t i n u e d )

S p e c i e s S t a t u s D i s t z i b u t i o c

Mocsonia c i v e a More t i ca c a c e s c e n s Myosot is m i c r a ~ t h a M. p u s i l l a Kyriophyllum s p i c a t u m

N a - d x u s m a ~ i t i m u s v a r a r i s t a t u s Kepeta a l g e - i e c s i s h'. a p - d e i B i g e l l a a ~ v e c s i s Xynphea a l b a

O d o c t i t e s f z a d i c i Ol igone- i s l ic i f o l i a Onphalodes l i c i f o l i a O c o b y ~ c h i s c a p ~ t - g a l l i Ococis a l e p e c u r o i d e s 0. b i f l o r a 0. m i t i s s i m a 0. at-ix s s p . f i l i f o l i a 0. per.d;;la 0. r o s e a 0. v i s c o s a s s p s i e b e r i O c ~ p o r d o c a c a u l e Orosna ech ice tdm O p h ~ s a t l a n t i c a 0. s c o l o p a x s s p . c o r c u t a O r c h i s l o c g i c o r n u 0 . e l a t a 0. p a l u s t - i s 0. sinia O r y z o p s i s paradoxa

Paccratum f o e t i d u m Parocych ia c h a b l o z i a c a P e g a n ~ m harmala v a r . garamactum Pecc i se tum dichotomum Phleam p h l e o i d e s Phlomis bove i P h y l l i t i s s c o l o p e c d r i ~ m P. hemi o c i t i s P i c l s p i c e s t f r P l a ~ t a g o c n ~ o c o p ~ s s s p p u r p u r e s c e c s P. t ~ r e t a c e P o t a n o g f t o ~ d e c s u s P. l a c e c s P. catar .s

T S TS TD T S CB

TD K K,NZ TC K

1: TS fJ E

K,TC RE, TD K ,N

1iE TS T C TD T S TD TD K,CB,TD

NE , TD

T C

T S TS TD M K TD K C R Tn TS TD v I.?

Ancex 1 ( ~ o c t t c u e d )

Spec ies S t a t u s D i s t ~ i b u t i o r

P o t e c t i l l a micrantha P. sup ica P rosop i s s t ephan iaca Pseuderucar ia c l a v a t a P s i l u m s incu rvus P t e r i s l o c g i f o l i a P u l i c a r i a c r i s p a h t o r i a c a l a b r i c a P y r ~ s s y s i a c a

Querczs a f a r e s

Bacdoria a f r i c a c a R a p i s t x n rugosum s s p eu-rugosun R a r ~ c c . ~ l u s f a l c a t u s s s p e u - f a l c a t u s R. f . s s p . ircu:vus R . p a ~ v L f l o r z s R . s c l e r a t ~ s Reseds l u t e a s s p ~ u - l u t e a R. a l p h o c s i j R . dcraeaca Eharnc~s f r a r g u l a Rosa a g ~ e s t i s R . g a l l i c a R. micrac tha R . s t y l o s a ?.iib,s i c c a r e s c e c s Rumex p i c t ~ s s s p b i p i r a a t u s R. t a r e t a r u s Rycchospo-a g lauca

Saccha rm r a v e m a e Sagica a p e l a t a s s p c i l i a t a Sa lp i ch roa rhomboidea Sa lv i a j amic i a r a S. phlornoides S. s c l a r a e a S. t i c g i t a c a Sambcc~s ebulus S. cige: S a c g u i s o ~ b i a s p i c o s a Satu:eia f o r t a r e s i i Sax i f r aga d ichotona Scab) osa o r e c a t a s s p t y p i c a S. fe? icosa S c i l l ~ o b t " s i f o 1 i a Sc l e roch lo ra ddra

TS l!!?,TC TD,TS TC , TS CB, K NE,TC NE, TD

Ancex 1 (cont inued)

Species S t a t u s D i s t ~ i b u t i o c

Scleropoa hemipoa Scorzocera l a c i n i a t a s s p in t e rmed ia Sedum tuberosum Sececio c i c e r a r i a v a r t y p i c u s S. f o l i o s a s S. jacobea a sp b a r b a r a e - f o l i e s S. l i v j dus Se rap ia s l i c g ~ a s s p d u r i o e i Sese l i naaum S. varium va r a t l a c t i c u m S e r ~ a t u l a ~ j . c c a t i f i d a S h e c o ~ l s eh-ecbergi i S i d e - i t i s ixcaca v a r . t ~ c e t a c a S i e g l i c g i a decumbecs S i l e c e a t l a c t i c a S. b a r r a t t e i S. c e r a s t o i d e s S. cocica va r a . a s t r a l i s S. mollissirna S. c e g l e c t a S. sedoides S i synb~ ium polyce-atum Solacum dulcamara S ~ l i d a g o v i r g a aurea Sorbus a r i a S o ~ g h m halepexse SpargarAum erect.,im S p a r t i c a p a t e r s S p e c i l a r i a hybrlda Spergzla a r v e c s i s S. pentacdra S p e r g d a r i a s a l i c a v a r l e io spe rma Sporobolus t o u r c e u x i i Stachys d u r i a e i S. m a ~ i t i m a S. max-ubifoliom S t i p a f o c t a c e s i i S t e l l a r i a ho los t ea Succowia b a l e a r i e a

Tamarix ba lacsea Taraxacm abovat in T. microcephalum Teesdal ia crocopi f ~ l j a T e l e p h i m sphaerospemum

TC TD

CB CB NE,I.:,CB CB NE TD TD,TC FD TC ,?S

i(

TD

TD,?C,?S TD CB KR, CE C E c 3 Y , T D K 9D TI! C E , 1.: T C !JE ,TC K TD TC, TS T S TD K K T D K TD, CB

9 S TD TD K , V!. 3s

Annex 1 ( ~ o n t i c u e d )

S p e c i e s S t a t u s D i s t r i b u t i o n

Teucr izn a t r a tum T. p o l i ~ r n s s p . f l a v o v i ~ e n s T. pseudo-sco-adonia T. r a d i c a n s T. s c h o e ~ e ~ b e - g r i Therneda t r i a ~ d r a Thymelaea t a r t o r r a i r a v a r genu ina T. sempe-virecs T o l p i s ba-bata s s p eu -ba rba t a Tragopogor. p o r r i f o l i c s v a r a u s t r a l i s Trapa r.at.acs n - 1 - e t a d i c l 5 s t e c a l ? ~ m-. l f o l i . ~ ~ . j z l i a r i

T. sqca::cs.;n s s p . t i l r e t a c ~ n T. s t ~ i a t ~ n T r i g l 3 c h j r ma:itjx-m '?:igorella g l a d i a t a Tu l i pa c l " s i a c e

V a l e r i a c e l l s cl-.lo:od3cta V . p i m i l l 2 Verocica cymbala r ia v a r parormi t . aca V . s e :py l l l fo l la Vic ia a l s i s s i n a 1'. becgha l e r - s i s V. b i t h g c i c a V. dispe-a V . f i % : ~ 2 ~ &

V . s i c t i l a V. t e t r a s p e r n a s s p . t e t r a s p e r m a V. v i l l o s a s s p da syca rpa V . v. s s p . p s e u d o - c ~ a c e a V io l a rnmbyaca V . odo ra t a

Wahlecbergia i o b e l j o j d e s

K TS,TC M H v P: M , N A TD TS K ,I.I TD N E TC ,TS TD TD K ,TD NE TD 1.1 E

3 h?

TD TD TD K K , M CB,TC TD, K C B TD K ,CB TD TC ,TS TC , NE TD TD

TD

NE K

TD TD

ANNEX 2

MAMMALS OF TUNISIA

A. Species P r e s e c t

Commor. Nane:

Comrnoc do lph ic Kock s e a l Water b u f f a l o Barbary d e e r Dorcas g a z e l l e Cuv ie r ' s g a z e l l e S l ecde r h o x e d g a z e l l e ( rh im) Aasdad (barbary m a x t a i c sheep) Wild s o a r Barbary hyeca ( s t r i p e d hyeca) Comoz j a c k a l Red fox S a d fox ,Per.cec ff ;x K a f f i r c a t S o i t h e r r K a f f i r c a t Sar.d c a t Caraca l Se rva l Lycx O t t e r Egyptiac Eocgoose Conzor g e c e t Saharac s t r i p e d weasel Weasel Europeac p o l e c a t S t r i ped po leca t Brovr h a r e Europeac r a b b i t ( N A s u b s p e c i e s ) Alger ian hedgehog Deser t hedgehog White hedgehog North Af r i cac e l e p h a c t shrew Shrew sp. Shrew sp . Bat

I,

S c i e n t i f i c Name:

Delphinus de lphi s Mocachus mocachus Buba l i s b u b a l i s Cervus e l aphus barbarus Gaze l l a do rcas G . c a v i e r i G. l e p t o c e r o s Ammotrag2s l e r v i a Sus s c r o f a barbarus Hyaeca hyaeca Cac i s eureLs V ~ l p e s v i l p e s V. r u p p e l l i Fernecq~s zerda F e l i s s y l v e s t r i s l i b y c a F. s. o c r e a t a F e l i s marga r i t a C a r a c a l c a r a c a l L e p t a i l z r u s s e r v a l Lyrx lycx pardirius L u t r a l u t r a Herpes t e s jchceumoc Cene t t a g e c e t t a P o e c i l i c t u s l i b y c a Mustela c i v a l i s Mustela p u t o r i u s I c t o c y x s t r i a t a Lepus c a p e c s i s

S t a t u s :

C

( i ) c t C t C t C t C t C

t C

C C C C r ?C ?C rC

C C ?C ?C

Oryc to l agas car.j.cillus a l g i r i s N A E r inaceus a l g i r u s Pa raech icus a e t h i o p i c u s Ae th t ch i cus a l g i r u s ?C E l ephan tu lus r o z e t i N A Succus e t r u s c u s Croc idura r u s s u l a Fl iropter i ls s c h r e i b e r s i i C P i p i s t r e l l i s p i p i s t r e l l i s C Rhicolophus rnehelyi R. e u r y a l e C R . ferrum-equicum C R . h i p p o s i d e r o s C Myotj s b ly th ioxygca thus 14. myot is Ept ,es icus s e r o t i c u s i s a b e l l i r c s P l e c o t u s a u s t r i c a c u s aegyp t i cus

Acnex 2 (Coct icued)

Comnor Kane: S c i e c t i f i c Name:

North Af r i cac c r e s t e d porcupine H y s t r i x c r i s t a t a Gucdi C tenodac ty lus g w d i Shaw's j i r d Ke r ioces shawj Libyar: j i r d K. l i b y c u s Jird sp. M. c r a s s u s G e r b i l C e r b i l l u s campes t r i s

a l s o Di.podj.llus campes t r i s C. c a c u s G. s imoci C . g e r b i l l u s

I C. pyramj.d;lm ,, Pachynroinys d-pras i

Sac? r a t Psammonys o b e s . 2 ~ Black r a t R a t t u s r a t t u s Pa ln r a t R . a lexacd r i c u s ),!orway r a t R . no rveg icus S t r i p e d r a t Lem~iscomys ba rba rds Les se r Egyp t i a r je rboa J a c u l u s j a c u l u s Jerboa s?. J . o r i e r t a l i s F i e l d mo-st? Apodenus s i l v a t i c i l s 'Le ro r ' Eliomys q u e x y c u s

S t a t u s : - ...

3. Large Kamnals E x t i r p a t e d From T c r i s i a

S c i e n t i f i c llame:

Addax ( r e c e r t l y reir-traduced) Addax casomacula tus Sc imi ta r -hor red oryx " Oryx dammah Har t ebeas t Alce laphus b u s e l a p h x Cheetah Acic icyx juba tus Sarbary l ior . P a c t h e r a l e o Barbary leopard P a n t h e r a pardus Barbary ape Kacaca sy l vaca North Afr icac e l e p h a c t ( 1 s t c e r t .) Loxodonta a f r i c a c a

r = Rare t = Threatened C = CITES l i s t

! :A = Korth Af r i ca Rrdenjc ? = R e p ~ r t e d jc l j t e r a t ~ r e , bz t c s r r e z t p r e se rce 2s

ques t . i o r ab l e

ANNEX 3

BIRDS OF TUNISIA

Conmor Name:

Great c r e s t e d grebe Black-cecked grebe L i t t l e grebe Ma~x shearwater C o r y ' s shea rna te r Storm p e t r e l Garre t Shag Cornoract Pygry cormoract Grey heror P;rple h e r w Great white e g r e t Ll t t l e e g r e t C a t t l e e g r e t Sqiacco heror !light heroc L i t t l e b i t t e r r B i t t e r c Spor .b i l1 Glossy i b i s !;kite s t o r k Black s t o r k Greater f l a n i c g o 3ar-headed goose Snali goose Grfylag goose Sear goose White- f r o r t e d goose Eercacle gaose Shelddck Raddy s h e l d u c k Mallard Gadwall k'igeor. Teal Gargarey P i ~ t a i l Shoveler Marbled t e a l Red-crested pochard Tiifted duck Pachard F ~ r r - g i c a i s d ~ c k

S c i e n t i f i c Heme:

Podiceps c r i s t a t u s P. n i g r i c o l l i s Tachy baptus ruf i c o l l i s Puf f i c u s puf f i c u s C a l o n e c t r i s diomedea Hydrobates pelagicus Sula b a s s a ~ a Phalacrocorax a r i s t i t e l i s P. carbo P. pygmeus Ardea c i c e r e a A . purpurea E g r e t t a a l b a E, g a r z e t t a Bubulcus i b i s Ardeole r a l l o i d e s Nycticorax r-ycticorax Ixobrychus mirutus Botaurus s t e l l a r 5 s P l a t a l e a l eucorod ia P l e g a d i s f a l c i c e l l u s Cicocia c i c o c i a C. c i g r a Phoecicopterus x b e r Acser j ~ d i c u s A . c a e r u l e s c e c s A . a c s e r A . f a b a l i s A. a l b i f r o c s Bra r t a l e u c o p s i s Tadorca tadorpa T. f e r r u g i c e a Anas platyrhynchos A . s t r e p e r a A. penelope A . c recca A . querquedula A. a c u t a A . c l y p e a t a A. a n g u s t i r o s t r i s Netta r ~ f l n a Aythya f u l i g ~ i l a A . f e r i ~ a A. cyroca

Annex 3 ( ~ o c t i . n u e d )

Conmoc Name:

Red-breasted merganser White-headed dilck Osprey Whi te - ta i led e a g l e Red k i t e Black k j t e Black-shouldered k i t e Short- toed e a g l e Sparrowhawk Levact sparrowhawk Eczzard Locg-legged buzzard Hocey buzzard Eore l l i . ' s e a g l e Booted e a g l e Gqldec e a g l e Les se r s p o t t e d e a g l e T a w y e a g l e Egyp t i a r v u l t u r e Bearded v a l t a r e Lappet-faced v u l t a r e G r i f f o c v - l t u r e b!arsh h a r r i e r Hec -ha r r i e r P a l l i d h a r r i e r F o ~ t . a g i ' s h a r r i e r Saker f a l c o r L a m e r f a l c o c P e r e g r i c e Barbary fa lcor . E leocora ' s f a l c o c Hobby Merlir. Red-footed f a l c o c Lesser k e s t r e l K e s t r e l Barbary p a r t r i d g e Q u a i l Crace Demoisel le c r a n e Acdalus iac hernipode L i t t l e bus t a rd I?o,bara bus t a rd k'ater r a i l Spotted c r a k e L i t t l e c r a k e P a i l l o r ' s c r ake

S c j e c t i f i c Name:

Mergus s e r r a t o r Oxyara leucocephala Pandior. h a l i . a e t u s H a l i a e e t u s a l b i c i l l a Milvus mi lvus M. m ig racs E lacus c a e r u l e u s C i r c a e t u s ~ a l l i c " s Accipi tsr r i s u s A . b r e v i p e s Euteo b1.iteo B. r u f i c u s P e r c i s a p i v o r u s H i e r a e e t n s f a s c i a t u s I?. p e r r a t ~ s Aqui l a c h r y s a e t o s A . p0rnarir.a A . rapax Neophror p e r c c o p t e r a s Cypaetus b a r b a t u s Torgos t r a c h e l i o t ~ s Gyps f u l v ~ s C i r c u s ae r i i g i cosus C. cyar.es;s C. macrourzs C . pygargus Fa l co cher r i ig F. b i a r m i c c s F. p e r e g r i c u s F. p e l e g r i c o i d e s F. e l e o c o r a e F. snbbz teo F. c o l u n b a r i u s F. v e s p e r t i c u s F. nailmacnj F. t i c c u c c u l u s A l e c t o r i s ba rba ra Co tu rc ix c o t u r c i x Grus g r u s Acthropoides v i r g o Turc ix sy l v a t i ca O t i s t e t r a x Ch lanydo t i s u c d u l a t a R a l l a s a q u a t i c ~ s Porzaca p o r z a r a P. parva P. p i i s i l l a

Annex 3 (con t inued )

Commor Name: S c i - e c t i f i c Name:

Corncrake Moorhen A l l e r ' s g a l l i c u l e Pd rp l e g a l l i n u l e Coot 0ys te rca t .cher Black-wicged s t j l t Avocet Ricged p love r L i t t l e rir-ged p l o v e r Kect i sh p love r Golder p love r Grey p love r D o t t e r e l Tcrcs toce Lapwir.e, Broad-bi l l e d s a c d p i p e r Cixlew s a c d p i p e r Ducli r Temrnir.ck' s s t ic t L i t t l e s t i c t Krot S a r d e r l i r g Red-r.ecked pha l a rope R e d s h a ~ k Spot ted redshack G r e e ~ s h a c k Xarsh secdpi pe r Cornmoc sandp ipe r Wood s a r d p i p e r C r e ~ c s a r d p i p e r R u ~ f Curlew S l e ~ d e r - b i l l e d cur lew Whimbrel Black- t a i l e d gadwit B a r - t a i l ~ d godwit Woodcock Great s r i p e Jack s r i p e Sc ipe S t o r e curlew Col la red p r a t i c c o l e Cream-colo~red c o J r s e r Great skca A r c t i c skda Pomarire s k ~ a

Crex c r e x C a l l i c u l a ch lo ropus Porphyrula a l l e c i Po rphyr j o porphyr io F u l i c a a t r a Haematopus o s t r a l e e s s Himactopus himactopus R e c u r v i r o s t r a a v o s e t t a Cha rad r iu s h a i t i c u l a C. dubjus C. e l e x a c d r i c u s P l u v i a l i s a p r j c a r i a P. s q u a t a r o l a Eudronias n o r i c e l l u s Areca r j a i c t e r p r e s V a c e l l ~ s v a r e l l ~ s Limicola f a l c i r e l l u s C a l i d r i s f e r r , g ~ r e a C. a l p i c e C . t e n m j c c k j i C. micuta C. c a c ~ t u s C . a l b a Pha l a ropzs l o b a t ~ s T r i c g a t o t a c u s T. e r y t h r o p s s T. c e b . ~ l a r i a T. s t a g c a t i l i s T. hypoleucos T. g l a r e o l a T. ochropus Philomachas pugcax Durnecjus a r q u a t a N . t e c u i r o s t r i s N. phaeopus Limosa l imosa L. l a p p o c i c a Scolopax r u s t i c o l a C a l l i c a g o media Lymnocryptes mic inus C a l l i n a g o g a l l i n a g o Burhicus oedj ccemus G l a r e o l a p r a t i c c o l a Cursor i ~s c u r s a r S t e r c o r a r i i s s k ~ a S. p a r e s i t i c & S. pornarir-&s

Connoc Came:

Aiidoaic ' s g d l S lecder -b j l l e d g u l l Black-headed g u l l L i t t l e g c l l Ked i t e r r aceac g c l l He r r i cg g u l l Lesser black-back Grea t black-back Connor g u l l Ki t t iwake G-11-billed t e r r C a s g i a ~ t e r c Royal t e r r Lesser c r e s t e d t e r c Sacdulch t e r r Com-13r. t e n

L i t t l e t e r r . 3 lack t e r n White-virged b lack t e r c k'hisksre? t e r c Razo rb l l ? Piiffir. L i t t l e a-ik Spot ted s a rdg rouse Crowred sacdgrouse PLr- t a l l e d s a rdg rouse E lack -be l l i ed sacdgrouse Flock dove Stock dove V o o d p i g e ~ r T , r t l e dove Pa ln dove o r l a c g h i c g dove Nanaqaa dove Great s p o t t e d cuckoo Cuckoo Barn owl Eagle owl Locg-eared owl Short-eared owl scops ow1 L i t t l e owl Tasty owl !:ight j a r F?ed-cecke? e l gh t j a r E ~ y ~ t i a c c i gh t j a r Sx i f: P a l l l d s x i f t

S c i e n t i f i c Mane:

Larus aud oui n j i L. g e c e i L. r i d i b u c d u s L. m i e . ~ t u s L. melanocephalus L. a r g e c t a t u s L. fusct ls L. mariniis L. canus Rissa t r i d a c t y l a Ce loche l idoc n i l o t i c a Hydroprogee t s cheg rava S t e r n a maxima S. b e c g a l e c s i s S. s a n d v i c e c s i s S. hlr . i r .do

S. a l b i f r o c s C h l i d o c i a s c i g e r C. l e ~ c o p t e r a s C . hy b r i d a Alca t o r d a F r a t e r c l i l a a r c t i c a A l l e a l l e P t e r o c l e s s e c e g a l l u s P. c o r o n a t a s P. a l c h a t a P t e r o c l e s o r i e c t a l i s Colcmba l i v i a C. oenas C. palumbus S t r e p t o p e l i a t u r t u r S. s e c e g a l e c s i s Oeca capecs i s Clamator e l a c d a r i u s Cuculus c a c o r u s Tyto a l b a Blubo bubo Asio o t u s A. flammeus Otus s cops Athece c o c t u a S t r i x a l u c o C a p r i m u l g ~ s europaeds C. r u f i c o l l i s C . a e g y p t i ~ s Aps ap;s A . p a l l i d z s

Annex 3 (con t inued )

Commoc Name: S c i e n t i f i c Name:

Alpjce s w i f t L i t t l e s w i f t Bee-eater Blue-cheeked bee -ea t e r R o l l e r K i c g f i s h e r Hoopoe Greec woodpecker Great s p o t t e d woodpecker Lesser s p o t t e d WoOdpecker Wryceck Shore l a r k ~ e n n i c c k ' s horced l a r k Hoop?? l a r k Short- toed l a r k Lesser sho r t - t oed l a r k Desert l a r k Ger - t a i l ed d e s e r t l a r k D,?or,t' s l a r k Calacdre l a r k Thick-bi l l e d l a r k l i ~ o d l a r k Skylark Crestgd l 6 r k Thekla l a r k S w a l l ~ u Crag n a r t : ~ Sard m a r t i r Yojse n a r t i c Tree p i p i t Keadow p i p i t 9ed-throated p i p i t 7 , h a t e r pipit

Tawry p i p i t White w a g t a i l Grey w a g t a i l Blue-headed & yel low w a g t a i l Conmoc b o l b d Black-headed bush s h r i k e Great g r ey s h r i k e Xoodchat s h r i k e Red-backed s h r i k e Hedgesparrou o r ducrock CrasshDpper warb l e r Sav5 * s warbler 4 e e ? warb le r Grez; reed warb l e r

A. melba A. a f f i ~ i s ).!crops a p i a s t e r M. a u p e r c i l i o s u s Corac i a s g a r r u l u s Alcedo a t t h k s Upupa epops P i c a s v i r i d i s Dendrocopos major D. m i m r Jy rx t o r q u i l l a Eremaphila a l p e s t r i s 5. b i lopha Alaemoc a l a u d i p e s C a l a n d r e l l a c i n e r e a C a l a c d r e l l a r u f e s c e c s Ammomaces d e s e r t i A. c i c c t u r ~ s Chersophi lus dupon t i Melanocorypha c a l a n d r a Rhamphocorys c lo t -bey L u l l u l a a r b o r e a Alauda a r v e c s i s G a l e r i d a c r i s t a t a G . t h e k l a e Hirundo r u s t j c a H . r u p e s t r l s R i p a r i a r i p a r i a Del ichoc u r b i c a Acthus t r i v i a l i s A . p r a t e n s i s A. c e r v i n u s A. s p i r o l e t t a A. c a m p e s t r i s M o t a c i l l a a l b a M. cknerea M. f l a v a Pycnonotus b a r b a t u s Tchagra s e n e g a l a L a ~ i u s e x c u b i t o r L. s e r a t o r L. c o l l u r i o P r u r e l l a modu la r i s L a c u s t e l l a naev ia L. l u s c i r i o i d e s Acrocephalus s c i r p a c e u s A. a r i c d i c a c e ~ s

Ancex 3 ( ~ o c t i ~ u e d )

Conmoc Nane:

Moustached warb l e r Aquatic w a r b l e r Sedge warb l e r C e t t i ' s warb l e r Fan- ta i led warb l e r Scrub warb l e r I c t e r i c e warb l e r Nelodious warb l e r Ol ivaceocs warb l e r V h i t e t h r o a t Cardex warb l e r Blackcap Orpheac warb l e r S a r d i r i a c warb l e r T r i s t r a n ' s wa rb l e r Deser t wa rb l e r Subalp ice warb l e r Spec tac led warb l e r ~ a r m o r a ' s wa rb l e r Dar t ford warb l e r Mil lox warb l e r Ch i f f cha f f Wood s a r b l e r B o c e l l i ' s werb l e r Co ldc re s t F i r e c r e s t Spot ted f l y c a t c h e r Pied f l y c a t c h e r Col la red f l y c a t c h e r S toeechat Whirchat Blue rock t h r u s h Rock t h r u s h Wheatear Deser t wheatear I s a b e l l i n e wheatear Black-eared wheatear Kourc i re wheatear Red-rimped wheatear Vhite-crow-ed b l ack Black wheatear Black r e d s t a r t Reds t a r t Y o u s s i e r ' s r e d s t a r t Robir. Blce t hrob t N i g h t i r g a l e

S c i e c t i f i c Flame:

A. melacopogon A. p a l u d i c o l a A. achoenobaenus C e t t i a c e t t i C i s t j c o l a j w c i d i s Sco toce rca i c q u i e t a H i p p o l a i s i c t e r i n a H. p o l y g l o t t a H. p a l l i d a S y l v i a cammucis S. b o r i c S. a t r i c a p i l l a S. h o r t e c s i s S . ne lacocepha la S. d e s e r t 5 c o l a S. caca S. c a c t i l l a c s S. c o c s p i c i l l a t a S. s a r d a S. ucda ta Phy l lo scopcs t r o c h i l u s P. c o l l y b i t z P. s i b i l a t r i x P . bone115 R e g u l ~ s r e g u l u s R . i g c i c a p i l l u s Xuscicapa s t r i a t a Ficedi i la hypoleuca F. a l b i c o l l i s Sax ico l a t o r q u a t a S. r i l be t r a F o c t i c o l a s o l i t a r i a s K. s a x a t i l i s Oececthe oe ran the 0. d e s e r t i 0. i s a b e l l i c a 0. h i s p a c i c a 0. l u g e c s 0. moesta

wheatear 0. leiicopyga 0. l e u c ~ r a Phoeci c u r ~ s ochcros P. phoeci c z r - s P. rno i s s i e r i E r i t hee -e r s b e c ~ l a LuscS c i a s v e c i c a L. megarhycchos

Annex 3 ( ~ o c t i c u e d )

Comn3c r!ane: S c i e c t i f i c Name:

R ~ f o u s bushchat Blackbird Ricg ouze l F i e l d f a r e R e d w i ~ g Sorg t h r a s h H i s t l e t h r u s h F ~ l v o i i s babb le r Locg-tai led t i t Coal t i t Great t i t Blce t i t Short- toed t r e e c r e e p e r Vrec Core b z c t i c g Hozie b i ic t icg Rock b ix t i r . 6 Clrl b ~ c t i c g Ortolar . Reed b x t l c g 9ranbLir.g Chaf f i r c h Goldfir.ch S i s k i c Greec f i r ch Hawfirch Trcmpeter fir .ch Lir . ret Serir: C r o s s b i l l Spa r i sh sparrow H o ~ s e sparrow Desert sparrow Rock sparrow Star1ir .g S p o t l e s s s t a r l i n g Colder o r i o l e Jay Nagpie Raver. Brouc-necked raven Jackdaw

C e r c o r t i c h a s g a l a c t o t e s Turdus merula T. t o r q u a t u s T. p j l a r j s T. i l i a c u s T. ph i lomelos T. v i s c i v o r u s Turdoides f u l v u s Aeg i tha los c a u d a t ~ s Pa rus a t e r P. major P. c a r e i r ~ l e c s C e r t h i a b rachydac ty l a T rog lody te s t r o g l o d y t e s Enberiza c a l a r d r a E. s t r i o l a t a R. c i a E. c j r l u s E. h o r t c l a r a E. s c h o e c i c 1 . s F r j c g j l l a moc t j f rj c g i l l a F. coe l ebs Ca rdue l i s c a r d u e l i s C. s p i r u s C. c h l o r i s Cocco th raus t e s c o c c o t h r a u s t e s Rhodopechys g i t h a g j c e a A c a r t h i s c a r r a b i c a S e r i c u s s e r i c u s Loxia c c r v i r o s t r a P a s s e r h i s p a c i o l e c s i s P. domestic~s P. s implex P e t r o r i a p e t r o c i a S t u r c u s v i i l g a r i s S. u c i c o l o r O r i o l u s o r i o l u s Gar ru lus g l a c d a r i u s P i ca p i c a C O ~ V ~ S COraX C. r ~ f i c o l l i s Corvcs mored .~ la

ANNEX 4

HEILICENHAFEM CRITERIA ( ~ e ~ r i n t e d from: Carp 1980)

1. C r i t e r i a p e r t a i e i c g t o a w e t l a n d ' s impor tacce t o popu la t i ons and s p e c i e s

A wetland shoold be cons ide red i c t e r c a t i o c a l l y impor t an t i f i t :

a ) r eg i i l a r ly s i ippor t s 1 s ( b e i c g a t l e a s t 100 j n d j v i d u a l s ) of t h e flyway o r b iogeographica l p o p o l a t i o c of oce s p e c i e s of water fowl ; o r

b) r e g i l a r l y s.;pports e i t h e r 10 ,000 ducks, geese and swacs, o r 10 ,000 c o o t s , o r 20,000 waders ( ~ l m j c o l a e ) ; 0 r

c ) s y p p g r t s a c a p p r e c i a b l e caber of a c endacgered s p e c i e s of p l a c t o r acinral; 0 r

d) i s of s p e c i a l v a l u e f o r m a i c t a i c i n g g e n e t i c acd e c o l o g i c a l d i v e r s i t y b e c a ~ s s of t h e q ~ a l i t y acd p e c ~ l i a r i t j e s of i t s f l o r a acd f auca ; o r

e ) p lays a major r o l e i c i t s r e g i o c a s t h e h a b i t a t of p l a c t s acd of a q o a t l c acd o t h e r a c i n a l s of s c i e c t i f i c o r ecocomic impor tacce .

2. C r i t e r i a cocceraed wi th t h e s e l e c t i o c of r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o r un ique wet1ar.d s

A. wetlacd s h o ~ l d be cocs jde red i c t e r c a t i o n a l l y impor t ac t i f i t :

a ) i s a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e example of a u e t l a c d commonity c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f i t s b iogeograph ica l r e g i o c ; o r

b) e x e n p l i f i e s a c r i t i c a l s t a g e o r extreme 5.r. b i o l o g i c a l o r hydromorphological p r o c e s s e s ; o r

c ) js a c i n t e g r a l p a r t o f a p e c o l j a r f e a t u r e .

3. C r i t e r i a coccerned wi th t h e r e s e a r c h , e d o c a t i o n a l o r r e c r e a t i o c a l v a l ~ e s of we t l acds

A wetlacd s h o A d be cocs ide red i c t e r c a t i o c a l l l y i m p o r t a c t t i f i t :

a ) i s o ~ s t a c d i c g l y i m p o r t a c t , w e l l - s i t o a t e d acd we l l eqoipped f o r s c i e c t i f i c r e s e a r c h acd e d i i c a t i o ~ ; 0 r

b) i s wel l - s t . id ied acd doc.2nected over na ry y e a r s ar.d w i th a c o c t i n u i c g procrern of r e s e a r c h o f h igh v a l u e , r e g ~ l a r l y p ~ b l i s h e d acd c o c t r j b u t e d t o by t h e s c j e ~ t i f j c commie5 t y ; 0 r

c ) o f f e r s s p e c i a l o p p o r t x i t i e s f o r p ron3 t i cg p u b l i c u c d e r s t a c d i c g acd a p p r e c l a t i o c of w e t l a c d s , opec t o people from s e v e r a l c o x t r i e s .

Annex 4 (continued)

4. C r i t e r i a concerned with the p r a c t i c a l i t y of cocse rva t ioc and management

Notwithstanding i t s f i t n e s s t o be considered a s i n t e n a t j o c a l l y important on one of the C r i t e r i a s e t ou t under :, 2 and 3 above, a wetlacd should only be desigcated f o r i n c l u s i o c ic the L i s t of the Ramsar Convectjoc i f i t:

a ) is physical ly acd a d m i c i s t r a t i v e l y capable of being e f f e c t i v e l y cocserved acd managed; acd

b) is f r e e from t h e t h r e a t of major impact of e x t e r n a l pol l i i t jon , hydrological i n t e r f e r e n c e s acd land use o r i n d u s t r i a l p rac t i ces .

c) A wetlacd of c a t i o c a l importacce only nay never the less be cocsidered of i c t g r c a t i o n a l importacce i f i t forms a complex wjth another ad jacen t wetlard of s i m i l a r value a c r o s s ac j c t e r c a t i o n a l border.